It was with a rather wimpering sigh that the Girona balloon deflated against Real Madrid two weekends ago. A win would have sent the Catalan side top of the La Liga table, but the Catalan fans were forced to watch on for 85 minutes, after Vinicius Junior set the wheels in motion for a thumping at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Any hint of a title challenge appeared take another step towards the grave in Bilbao eights days later. A hard-fought 3-2 defeat, several Girona mistakes saw Athletic Club take advantage, and then hang on for three points in stoppage time as Girona threatened more heroics. If you still believe in Girona, now is the time to take advantage of the William Hill offer for new customers.
It capped a three-game winless streak having drawn a blank against Real Sociedad the week before the Bernabeu, in unfortunate circumstances due to some curious refereeing. For many, it is the end of any title race, with Los Blancos six points clear, with a number of their players still to return from injury.
Yet Girona too have players to come back. David Lopez and Daley Blind should return shortly, while they have only just recovered Yangel Herrera, which should settle things down. One of the issues against both Athletic and Real Madrid was their build-up from the back, and while Juanpe is an excellent servant, his presence has been noted negatively. Top-scorer Artem Dovbyk is only just on his way back from injury too.
Equally, that three-game streak is one of the hardest that any side can face, including two of the toughest away trips in La Liga this season. The fixture list will ease before Girona regather their strength for battles with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but this time with the pressure off. Now it’s about Europe, and Real Madrid will feel less of a threat from North Catalonia given the way they dispatched Michel Sanchez’s side.
There are also reasons to think that Real Madrid will drop points in the coming weeks. As they get players back they will eventually improve, but they will have rust. Traditionally Los Blancos suffer more against midtable sides they struggle to lift their game for rather than challengers. The Champions League is also entering its definitive phase, and as is always the case, the focus will shift at the Bernabeu for ‘their competition’.
Chances are Real Madrid will cruise the title, and as Michel says, Girona will fight for European football. If Girona can make it to April within a game of this Real Madrid, then anything is possible. While Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been excellent this season, by no means is it the behemoth he had at his disposal during his first spell, and neither are the other challengers.
