Barcelona, Feb 8: Little importance was given to Girona’s away game at Real Madrid when the Spanish league published its calendar.
But six months and 23 rounds later and Saturday’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu promises to decide which side will be in pole position to win the title come May.
It is a clash of the league’s most trophied club against a minnow that is enjoying an historic season.
Both teams have lost only once in the league, and Madrid is just two points ahead of second-placed Girona.
Girona’s stunning campaign has drawn it comparisons to Leicester City defying all the odds to win the English Premier League in 2016.For now, Girona coach Míchel Sánchez has repeatedly said he hopes his team can keep up its strong play long enough to finish in the top four, which would earn it a Champions League berth.“When there are 10 rounds left, we will see,” Míchel said recently.
“What is clear is that Madrid wins its games with ease while it is tough for us. We are not at their level.” This Girona, however, does not sit back in its area and grind out wins. It goes after rivals, regardless of reputation. It has pulled off comebacks and leads the league with 52 goals, four more than Madrid. Just ask Atletico Madrid, which Girona beat 4-3, or Barcelona, which fell 4-2 to its fellow Catalan club.Girona’s only loss came at the hands of Madrid when Jude Bellingham scored once and set up another for a 3-0 result in September.Despite Madrid outspending Girona by 727 to 52 million euros (USD 782 to USD 56 million), they are producing similar results and individual numbers by their top players.Bellingham and Girona striker Artem Dovbyk each has a league-high 14 goals, a mark also shared with Getafe’s Borja Mayoral.Girona winger Sávio and Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos have delivered a league-high seven assists. (AP)
