GIRONA faces Real Madrid this Saturday at 18:30, a clash that sits high in the standings despite Madrid’s obvious prominence. Girona has emerged as the only side keeping Real Madrid honest this season, posting the third-best mark in its history with 58 points from 23 matches and just one defeat, alongside four draws.
Yet Míchel’s squad isn’t merely riding the wave of their opponent. They’re playing football that earns admiration from rivals and pundits alike. Girona are the most prolific attackers in the league, with 47 goals scored and 52 conceded. It’s uncommon for ‘Cinderella’ teams to challenge Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético in the pursuit of consistency. Sevilla’s 2006-07 challenge and Real Sociedad’s 2002-03 title race are cited as examples where the landscape shifted late, even if those runs ended without clinching the title.
Girona refuses to retreat in the race
Augusto César Lendoiro and Javier Irureta’s Deportivo completed their objective years ago. In 2000, that squad stood out for its goalkeeper Paco Liano, whose insights into Girona mirror the current storyline. Liano observes that Girona shares similarities with historic sides in facing the Merengues and Barcelona, noting their tactical versatility, ball movement, and attacking threats from midfield. He says Girona is a pleasant surprise, worth following closely for the relationship with Pablo Torre and for the way they compete regardless of table position. Neutral fans can appreciate how Girona’s structure and ideas create a compelling challenge every time they meet a heavyweight.
Jémez on the idea of “miracles”
Paco Jémez has lived a similar experience with Zaragoza in the 1999-2000 season. At that moment, the Maños were minutes from being champions after Deportivo and Barcelona faltered. He notes that competing with Madrid and Barça is rarely easy, yet miraculous moments do occur, like Girona’s strong performances. That stubbornness to stay in the title race is what makes the league special. Jémez recalls Zaragoza’s journey as a time when few believed they could reach the peak, but they did, and those memories endure as motivation for teams like Girona.
The big question then becomes whether the pressure on these underdogs helps or hinders. Liaño argues that the heavier burden comes from the fear of losing rather than from striving to win. The challenge for Girona is clear: every opponent plans around a potential title challenger. Real Sociedad’s recent fixture with Girona is cited as a test of plan-following against a team that can disrupt expectations. Jémez adds that more teams must reach this level to allow smaller clubs to savor the experience of competing for the top prize.
The Deportivo goalkeeper remains confident Girona will stay competitive until the end. If they slip at the Bernabéu, Madrid’s edge could grow, but Girona still holds a strategic advantage by focusing on the league during a period when the Champions League demands heavy attention elsewhere. The sense is that Míchel’s squad has occasionally looked weak defensively, but the coach has managed those moments well, and Madrid’s own defense isn’t flawless either.
Liaño foresees a hard-fought finish
Liaño notes that Real Madrid could be the only side to pass Girona, though Madrid’s progress might be slowed by the decisive nature of the league run. He expects a difficult match at the Bernabéu, with Ancelotti possibly rotating defenders and perhaps even a late positional shift involving Dovbyk. Madrid is known for its counterattacking prowess, which makes this a test of Girona’s resilience against a counterattacking masterclass.
For someone who has tasted victory at the Bernabéu, the sentiment is clear: this match represents a rare personal achievement and a moment to savor the pride of proving you can win on Madrid’s turf. Girona has already beaten Barcelona at Montjuïc, which fuels the belief that a repeat performance in the capital is within reach. The challenge now is to replicate that success on a bigger stage, where the spotlight intensifies and every action is magnified.
Liaño adds that Girona’s challenge is also about the atmosphere around the game. The Bernabéu carries special weight, and players must manage the media intensity as much as the tactical demands. Still, Girona’s approach has been to push forward with clear ideas, embracing the pressure as a catalyst rather than a constraint. The conversation around their coach and their potential to rise further continues to echo around the league.