MADRID, 18 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Girona hopes to rise after its defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu and stay alive in the fight for the LaLiga EA Sports title this Monday in San Mamés (9:00 p.m.), where the thriving Athletic Club seeks to establish itself in continental positions and even dream of the ' Champions'.
In the last match of the twenty-fifth matchday, the Catalans need to react after the setback against Real Madrid (4-0), the only team that has been able to defeat them this season in LaLiga; The two defeats in their locker are white -0-3 in the first round in Montilivi-.
The setback, second in a row after the draw against Real Sociedad (0-0) and third in the last four games in all competitions – along with the cup elimination against Mallorca – has left Míchel's team five points behind the leader , which could be more in case Carlo Ancelotti's team beats Rayo in Vallecas on Sunday.
“If we win in San Mamés, the 'Champions' will be the objective,” warned this week the Madrid coach, who will not be able to count on the suspended Yan Couto, who received his fifth yellow card at the Bernabéu, nor with the injured players in the Bilbao coliseum. Toni Villa, David López, Jastin and Joel Roca.
Opposite, Athletic faces the start of the decisive stretch of the season. The Catalans will be the first of their challenges before facing Real Betis and Barça in LaLiga and, in between, trying to close the Cup semi-final tie against Atlético, against whom they were ahead in the first leg (0- 1).
Ernesto Valverde's men have added only two of the last 12 points at stake, with a draw against the bottom and almost evicted Almería in the last matchday (0-0) that allowed them to reach 46 points, eight more than Betis already five from the fourth place of the colchonero team, with one more game.
Ander Herrera, with a hamstring injury, will be the only certain absence in the Basque team, which remains pending the status of Oihan Sancet, with discomfort.
–MONDAY PROGRAM AT LALIGA EA SPORTS.
Athletic Club – Girona. Sánchez Martínez (C. Murciano) 21.00.