The Girona FC vs Atlético de Madrid game from the first half of this season was unforgettable, as Míchel's squad earned a dramatic 4-3 victory, a statement win against one of their rivals for Champions League qualification.
This Saturday, these two teams will meet again and their objectives are the same, as both clubs hope to secure a place in the top four of LALIGA EA SPORTS in order to play in Europe's top club competition next season.
Atlético de Madrid moved back into the top four during the previous matchday, inching ahead of Athletic Club. This weekend, in front of their own fans, they hope to take another step towards consolidating their position. Diego Simeone's side are the second-best team in LALIGA EA SPORTS at home, with 40 points from 15 games, just one fewer than Real Madrid. They'll hope the roar of the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano can carry them towards their primary objective for the season.
Third-placed Girona FC may have fallen out of the title race, but they are still dreaming of what would be a historic qualification for next season's Champions League.
In the past five rounds, they have taken nine points, which is more than the seven that both Atlético de Madrid and Athletic Club, their pursuers, have been able to pick up. Should they win in Madrid, the gap to Los Colchoneros would increase to 10 points, so Míchel and his players will approach Saturday's fixture as if it's a playoff for the Champions League.
Girona FC, though, have been struggling away from home. Their last four away trips have resulted in four defeats, as they lost to Real Madrid 4-0, Athletic Club 3-2, RCD Mallorca 1-0 and Getafe CF 1-0. After suffering those four consecutive away defeats, they'll want to end that streak when they travel to one of the toughest stadiums to visit in Europe.
Another interesting storyline from this duel is the individual battle between Artem Dovbyk and Álvaro Morata for the Pichichi Trophy, given to the top scorer of the competition. Girona FC's Ukrainian striker has 16 goals and leads the way alongside Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and CA Osasuna's Ante Budimir. Yet, there are several other forwards in the mix too, such as Morata, who had 14 total goals, including the three he scored against this weekend's opponents in that game in Catalonia.
Simeone will be without the suspended Pablo Barrios and Míchel will be without the suspended Iván Martín, the hero of the previous meeting with his 91st minute goal. However, both coaches have various quality players at their disposal, such as Antoine Griezmann and Aleix García, two of the best performers in the competition this season. When the final whistle blows at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, there will only be 21 points left to play for. When fighting for something as important as Champions League qualification, every point counts.
