Two teams looking to improve on underwhelming starts to the 2024-25 La Liga season will square off on Saturday evening, as Girona welcome Real Sociedad to Estadi Montilivi.
Girona have only managed 12 points from their opening nine games, putting them in 11th place, while Real Sociedad sit 15th following their haul of nine points from nine contests.
Match preview
Girona were an inspired lot last season, finishing third in La Liga to qualify for the Champions League group stage. This time out, however, it’s been far different as they have won three, drawn three, and lost three out of nine games to sit a full five points away from fourth-placed Villarreal.
The hosts had not won in any competition for six matches prior to the international break and responded with a thrilling last-minute victory over Athletic Bilbao. Cristhian Stuani sealed a 99th-minute penalty as Girona won 2-1 after Oihan Sancet had cancelled out Yaser Asprilla’s opener.
But with the important Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava lurking around the corner, Girona will equally be eager to put their concentration on this campaign as they seek to start making their move up the La Liga table.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad has been one of La Liga’s biggest disappointments this term, tending 15th in the standings. Last year’s sixth-place finishers have not found consistency; with only two victories, three draws, and four losses from their nine matches. Scoring has been a problem, with only seven goals to their name thus far.
Sociedad went into the international break off the back of a positive result, drawing 1-1 against Atletico Madrid. After hosting Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League next week, they continue their Copa del Rey campaign at Jove Espanol later this month.
The last three league meetings between Girona and Real Sociedad have finished all-square, comprising a goalless encounter in this corresponding fixture in 2023-24.
Form Guide
Girona La Liga form: WLLDDW
Girona (all competitions): LLDDLW
Real Sociedad La Liga form: DLLDWD
Real Sociedad (all competitions): LDDWLD
Team News
Girona will be without Viktor Tsygankov, Daley Blind, Oriol Romeu, Jastin Garcia and Ricard Artero due to injury problems. There are also late fitness tests scheduled for Pau Lopez and Bryan Gil and Michel finds himself with a stretched squad. Even with the potential selection headache, the Girona manager may resist the urge to change things around and could name the same team that beat Athletic Bilbao. Donny van de Beek should continue in the number 10 role.
Real Sociedad do have injuries to Hamari Traore and Arsen Zakharyan, but otherwise Imanol Alguacil has a good roster to select from. Brais Mendez could come in for Sergio Gomez, who may go to full-back. Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal should start. Sheraldo Becker might just hold onto his wing position.
Predicted Lineups:
Girona: Gazzaniga; A. Martinez, D. Lopez, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Herrera; Asprilla, Van de Beek, Danjuma; Ruiz
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Gomez; Zubimendi; Kubo, Sucic, Mendez, Becker; Oyarzabal