Overview
Athletic Bilbao started the promising season with 3 consecutive victories against Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis. However, Nico Williams' injury has caused the team's form to decline significantly, when they have lost 3 consecutive matches and have almost no threat to attack.
Los Leones fell 0-1 to Alaves, then lost 0-2 to Arsenal in the opening match of the Champions League. Last weekend, the away trip to Valencia also ended in bitterness. Dani Vivian was sent off right after the break, and Bilbao conceded two goals in the last 20 minutes, conceding a 2-0 loss.
However, Bilbao are still highly appreciated for their struggling reception to Girona. They have won four of their last five home games against their opponents in La Liga, including a 3-0 win last season in San Mames. Notably, Bilbao scored at least 2 goals in 4/5 of those encounters and kept a clean sheet in 3 matches.
Girona entered the new season with many difficulties after only being 1 point above the relegation zone last season. The Catalan team lost 4 of their opening 5 matches, including 3 consecutive defeats at the beginning of the season with a total score of 1 10. Hope sparkled when they held Celta Vigo to a 1-1 draw away, but the penalty goal in injury time deprived them of a valuable victory.
Girona's spirit at Galicia was quickly extinguished last weekend when they collapsed 0-4 against new signing Levante. The match became a disaster when Axel Witsel and Vitor Reis were respectively sent off, forcing 9 Girona players to support themselves and conceding 3 goals in the second half.
With poor form, Girona is at the bottom of the table and is one of 4 teams that have not won in La Liga this season, putting coach Michel under heavy pressure. He will expect the team to recreate their good memories at San Mames in February 2023, when they surprisingly defeated Bilbao 3-2 with a double from an own goal and a goal by Aleix Garcia.
Personnel situation
Athletic Bilbao will be without the duo Benat Prados and Unai Egiluz due to injury, while goalkeeper Alex Padilla will be out due to a 3-match suspension. Center back Yeray Alvarez continues to be absent for a long time due to a 10-month ban for doping.
The positive news for the home team at San Mames is that Aymeric Laporte is ready to make his second debut after returning to the club, but Dani Vivian is suspended due to a direct red card in the loss to Valencia. Nico Williams' ability to play is still uncertain as he has not fully recovered from a shoulder injury.
On Girona's side, the absentee list continues to grow with Juan Carlos, David Lopez, Ricard Artero and Thomas Lemar all injured, while Joel Roca is focusing on the Spain U20 team. Viktor Tsygankov's ability to participate is still uncertain after he missed the last 3 matches due to a thigh problem.
In addition, Axel Witsel and Vitor Reis will be sidelined due to suspension after a red card in the 0-4 defeat to Levante.
Expected lineup:
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Gorosabel, Paredes, Laporte, Berchiche, Vesga, Jauregizar, I. Williams, Gomez, Berenguer, Guruzeta.
Girona: Gazzaniga, Martinez, Frances, Blind, Moreno, Martin, Solis, Ounahi, Asprilla, Gil, Vanat.
The match between Athletic Bilbao and Girona takes place at 0:00 on September 24 (Vietnam time).
