Arnau Martinez, Girona player
/ David Borrat / EFE
Àlex Calaff
Girona face a crucial away trip that could weigh heavily in the final stretch of the season. After several weeks of intense pressure and a poor run of results, Míchel’s side travel to Vallecas with relegation looming closer and a pressing need to secure all three points. Following Alavés’ draw with Elche, the Catalan club now sits just one point above the relegation zone.
There is no room for error anymore. Míchel’s team has now gone four games without a win, with three consecutive defeats compounding the situation. Another slip-up could have serious consequences. With 38 points from 34 matches, Girona are looking nervously over their shoulders at Alavés and Levante, both on 37 points, waiting for any mistake from the Catalans to tighten the relegation battle even further.
**A Historic Rayo**
This Monday, Girona will face a Rayo Vallecano side that has not yet secured its LaLiga EA Sports status for next season. However, the Madrid team arrives with sky-high morale after writing a historic chapter in the Conference League, where they eliminated Strasbourg to book their place in the final in Leipzig.
Batalla, who saved a penalty in stoppage time to secure Rayo’s victory, celebrates with fans. | EFE
Vallecas is never an easy venue. Rayo typically sets a very high tempo, with intensity, pressure, and energy from the first whistle. If Girona are not fully focused from the opening minute, they could find themselves in a much more uncomfortable match than desired.
Putting the Conference aside, Iñigo Pérez’s side has also been in good form in LaLiga, picking up seven points from the last nine available. A win against Girona would all but secure their survival and serve as the perfect climax – or the best possible start – to an unforgettable few days for the Vallecas club.
**Míchel Knows It Will Be Tough**
Míchel, Girona’s head coach, acknowledged in his pre-match press conference that they are “ready to suffer” and that he has tried to make the most of these days to prepare for the game. “We are ready to face a rival that has made history in the Conference League. It will be a tough and complicated match, but we believe our best version can earn us the win and three points,” he said.
Míchel, Girona manager
/ AFP7 via Europa Press
The highly respected former Rayo Vallecano favourite admitted that his dressing room had already considered the scenario of arriving in Vallecas with such urgency. “We had talked about the possibility of being in the relegation zone, and the team was prepared. The difference is not our current position, but how far we have to go to save ourselves. There are ten teams in the same situation,” he added.
Regarding his squad, Míchel confirmed that Donny van de Beek is back training on grass with the group, “but he is not available. The rest are fine, except for the long-term injured players,” he noted.
Iñigo Pérez, meanwhile, will be without the injured Isi Palazón, and also cannot count on Luiz Felipe or Diego Méndez. Ilias Akhomach, who picked up an injury during the warm-up against Strasbourg, is a doubt.
