Overview
Girona have won two, drawn five and lost six of their 13 La Liga games this season. With only 11 points, coach Michel's team dropped to 18th place in the rankings.
More worryingly, Girona has the worst defense in the league, having conceded 25 goals. However, they entered this match with a somewhat improved mentality after two positive results: winning Alaves 1-0 at home and drawing 1-1 with Real Betis in the previous round.
Last season, Girona finished in 16th place just one year after a miracle of finishing third in La Liga 2023-2024 - the best achievement in the club's history. This is also the fourth consecutive season they have participated in the highest division of Spain, so it is difficult to criticize the Catalan team too harshly.
Up to now, Girona has only met Real Madrid 12 times and suffered eight defeats. However, it is worth noting that 2 of their 3 victories came at home, including a 2-1 victory in the first encounter in October 2017.
Girona also crushed Real Madrid 4-2 at Montilivi in April 2023. However, they have lost all four of their most recent encounters, conceding 12 goals and failing to score any.
Xabi Alonso's side entered the match with great confidence after a dramatic 4-3 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League, thereby rising to fifth place in the rankings with 12 points after five matches.
Some rumors say that the Real Madrid dressing room has shown signs of dissatisfaction this season, but Alonso is said to have promptly calm the situation, especially his relationship with Vinicius Junior. Even the Brazilian star's contract extension may be announced soon.
Under Alonso, Real Madrid have not achieved the expected consistency. However, Kylian Mbappe is having a brilliant season, scoring 22 goals and providing three assists after 18 appearances, including 13 goals in just 13 matches in La Liga.
Los Blancos have five more games left before the winter break, including three consecutive La Liga meetings with Girona, Athletic Bilbao and Celta Vigo. They will end 2025 with a home match against Manchester City in the Champions League.
Personnel situation
Girona continues to face a decline in strength, with Cristian Portu, David Lopez, Donny van de Beek, Juan Carlos, Alejandro Frances, Daley Blind, Ricard Artero, Thomas Lemar and Vladyslav Krapyvtsov all likely to be absent.
With such a long injury list, Michel has almost no options to rotate. Therefore, it is not surprising if he continues to keep the same starting lineup that played impressively against Real Betis in the previous round.
Vladyslav Vanat is expected to continue to play at the top of the attack. Bryan Gil is likely to also keep his starting position thanks to his stable performance.
On the opposite side, Real Madrid also encountered some personnel problems. Dani Carvajal (knee) and Dean Huijsen (left) are definitely absent. David Alaba (back) and Raul Asencio (sick) are still doubtful to play.
However, Eder Militao (head), Franco Mastantuono (head), Antonio Rudiger (back) and Thibaut Courtois (sick) have all recovered.
Jude Bellingham - who only came off the bench against Olympiacos due to concerns about a slight strain - will return to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, both Mbappe and Vinicius are sure to be in Los Blancos' attack.
Expected lineup:
Girona: Gazzaniga, Rincon, Martinez, Reis, Moreno, Martin, Witsel, Tsygankov, Ounahi, Gil, Vanat.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Tchouameni, Carreras, Guler, Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius.
The match between Girona and Real Madrid takes place at 3:00 am on December 1 (Vietnam time).
