Girona-Atletico Madrid is a match on the 19th day of La Liga and is played Wednesday at 9:30pm: lineups, predictions, TV and streaming.
It is the Montilivi challenge that catalyzes the attentions of Spanish soccer fans on the first day of 2024. Facing each other are Girona, now the protagonist of a Leicester-style fairy tale – the red and white fans obviously hope the outcome will be the same – first in the standings on equal points with Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid, which occupies the third step of the podium along with Barcelona.
This is therefore a direct clash in all respects, whatever the blazon may say. When there is only one round left to the end of the first half of the season, Michel’s team can even aspire to become winter champions, a goal that is only symbolic but was pure science fiction at the beginning of the season. This La Liga, in fact, so far has the face of the small Catalan club, able to hold its own and duel with the big names of the Iberian top league. Unbeaten since its September defeat to Real Madrid, Girona has won almost all of them since October: the only draws came in challenges with Athletic Bilbao and Betis. In their last outing, Aleix Garcia and his teammates had to settle for a point in the Andalusian trip, pegged back two minutes from the end by former Fiorentina player Pezzella (1-1).
For Atletico, on the other hand, the Montilivi match is a golden opportunity to get closer to the top – seven points away for now – and get back into the title fight.
Diego Simeone’s men had greeted 2024 with success against Sevilla, defeated 1-0 thanks to a Marcos Llorente goal. A victory that came despite the Colchoneros’ numerical inferiority in the last twenty minutes due to the expulsion of Turkish defender Soyuncu. However, the December of the Capitolini was marked by strong discontinuity: defeats with Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, a draw with Getafe and victories with Almeria and Sevilla. In addition to the disqualified Soyuncu, Simeone will have to do without Lemar and Barrios, while Girona will be missing David Lopez.
The Prediction
The precedents tell us that Girona has never beaten Atletico Madrid, at least in regulation time. Will the Catalans be able to break this taboo in what is their best season ever? The feeling is that it will be a very balanced match, with the Colchoneros trying first of all to contain the attacks of the hosts, who will not give up offense. Girona, which in front of its own public has only lost to Real Madrid, should avoid defeat in a match with at least one goal on each side.
The probable formations of Girona-Atletico Madrid
GIRONA (4-1-2-3): Gazzaniga; Yan Couto, Eric García, Blind, Miguel; David López; Aleix García, Iván Martín; Tsygankov, Dovbyk, Sávio.
ATLETICO MADRID (5-3-2): Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Witsel, Hermoso, Lino; Koke, De Paul, Riquelme; Griezmann, Morata.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
