Looking to build on their respective top-four finishes last season, Atletico Madrid and Girona will lock horns at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday evening in what promises to be an action-packed contest.
Girona emerged as La Liga’s surprise package last season, sending shockwaves throughout the Spanish top flight as they secured a phenomenal third-placed finish, five points ahead of Diego Simeone’s Atletico.
Both teams now find themselves preparing for the prestigious Champions League group stage, adding extra spice to this early-season fixture.
The mouth-watering contest is expected to garner plenty of attention from spectators, so if you need to get Atletico Madrid tickets at unbeatable prices, Seatsnet.com is your ideal marketplace.
Despite losing ten La Liga matches last season, Atletico’s experience and resilience saw them secure fourth place and Champions League qualification.
They finished the season with a decent 76-point haul, pegging them eight points ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao.
Atletico have done some eye-catching transfer business this summer, with Simeone overseeing a squad rebuild that improves their chances of landing silverware this season.
They’ve bolstered Simeone’s ranks with four exciting talents – Julian Alvarez, Conor Gallagher, Robin Le Normand, and Alexander Sorloth, so there’s a fresh look to the squad this season.
Meanwhile, Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata have departed the club to join Premier League giants Chelsea and seven-time European champions AC Milan, respectively.
Atletico fans will be eager to see how the new recruits integrate and whether they can propel the team to a stronger Champions League showing.
Girona’s remarkable 2023/24 season, which culminated in a historic third-place finish in La Liga, has earned them a coveted spot in the upcoming Champions League.
This achievement marks the highest-ever finish for the White and Reds in the Spanish top flight, a testament to their exceptional performances throughout the campaign.
However, the road ahead for Girona is laced with challenges, especially after losing a couple of key players this summer.
The departures of stars like Artem Dovbyk and Aleix Garcia have left a void in the squad that will undoubtedly be felt.
Despite sanctioning ten new signings to bolster their ranks, replicating last season’s heroics will be an incredibly difficult challenge for the La Liga overachievers.
Match Preview
Atletico sit in eighth place and have struggled for consistency for most of the year until the back-end of last season when they won six of their final seven fixtures (L1).
That inconsistency was laid bare in their La Liga curtain-raiser when they were held to a disappointing yet thrilling 2-2 draw at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Atletico trailed Villarreal twice on Monday, but they fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw in their La Liga opener.
Despite the resilient performance, the capital outfit will be aiming for a victory when they host Girona on Sunday.
Atletico boasted the second-best home record in La Liga last season, collecting 49 points from their 19 matches on their own turf.
However, they’re coming up against a Girona side that were also impressive on their travels, boasting the third-best away record in the league.
Atletico claimed a 3-1 win over Girona in the corresponding match last season, but the reverse fixture saw Girona emerge victorious with a 4-3 scoreline.
The history between the two teams suggests a closely contested match.
Atletico’s home record against Girona is impressive, with the club remaining unbeaten in their last four encounters. They have also scored at least two goals in each of their previous three meetings.
Los Colchoneros have been dominant when facing Girona, winning four out of the ten meetings (D5, L1).
Girona sit ninth in the La Liga rankings after a disappointing start to the season.
Like Sunday’s opponents, Girona also closed out the 2023/24 in fine form, winning five of their final seven fixtures (D1, L1), culminating in a historic Champions League qualification for the club.
Despite their phenomenal campaign, Girona struggled to get going in pre-season, winning just one of their seven games (D3, L3).
Their abysmal preparations translated into the new season as they were held to a 1-1 draw in an end-to-end contest against Real Betis.
The visitors found themselves behind in the sixth minute, but young sensation Gabriel Misehouy made an instant impact, netting on his debut to level the scoreline.
The point earned by Girona ensured they avoided a disappointing start to the season and showcased their resilience against a decent opponent.
Girona will now face Osasuna and Sevilla in their final two games before the September international break, and they will then welcome Catalan rivals Barcelona on September 14.
After their exploits last term, Girona are in their fifth-ever season at the highest level and could be the team to watch in the Spanish top flight this season.
Girona have played out draws in three of their eight matches against Atletico in La Liga. They only have more such results against Real Sociedad in the Spanish top flight.
The Gironistes have won only one of their last eight matches against Atletico in La Liga, with their only such victory during this period coming by a 4-3 scoreline in January 2024.
Team news & potential line-ups
Atletico have been handed a clean bill of health ahead of the clash with Girona, although they’ll be without Portuguese forward Marcos Paulo, who continues to struggle with injuries.
With a fully fit squad at his disposal, Simeone could decide to ring the changes this weekend, with Rodrigo De Paul and Jose Gimenez likely reintroduced to the starting line-up.
Julian Alvarez could make his full debut after a cameo appearance against Villarreal, while fellow new signing Conor Gallagher is expected to start the game on the bench.
As for Girona, Yaser Asprilla could be in the squad after completing a move to the club from Watford on Friday.
However, Sunday’s showdown could come too soon for the exciting and talented 20-year-old forward, who will likely start the game on the bench.
Jastin Garcia and Ricard Arteto will miss the match through injury, while Valery and Viktor Tsyhankov remain major doubts for the visitors.
Bryan Gil, Abel Ruiz and Portu should continue as the front three at Wanda Metropolitano, while Oriol Romeu, who is back on loan at the club from Barcelona, is set to anchor the midfield.
Atletico Madrid potential starting line-up:
(3-4-3): Jan Oblak; Cesar Azpilicueta, Jose Gimenez, Robin Le Normand; Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo De Paul, Koke, Samuel Lino; Antoine Griezmann, Alexander Sorloth, Julian Alvarez.
Girona potential starting line-up:
(4-3-3): Paulo Gazzaniga; Arnau Martinez, David Lopez, Daley Blind, Miguel Gutierrez; Yangel Herrera, Oriol Romeu, Ivan Martin; Bryan Gil, Abel Ruiz, Portu.
