Is It Too Early to Write Off Girona? Forecasting Their Chances of Avoiding Relegation

Girona’s spectacular ascent in Spanish football just a season ago painted them as a team for the ages, challenging giants and clinching a spot in the Champions League. Fast forward to 2025, and the script has flipped dramatically. The Catalan side now finds itself teetering precariously close to the relegation zone in La Liga, with just a few points separating them from demotion. Their once vibrant attacking play, led by stars like Artem Dovbyk and Savinho, has been disrupted by key departures, injury woes, and strategic missteps. As the club grapples with balancing domestic survival and European ambition, questions loom: Is it too early to give up on Girona’s La Liga dreams? Or can coach Michel channel the fighting spirit that turned Girona into sensation, steering them clear of catastrophe? This analysis delves deep into Girona’s current trials, scrutinizing their squad, recent form, tactical challenges, and fixtures ahead, offering a clear-eyed forecast on whether survival remains a realistic target. Fans and casual observers alike will discover the tangled layers behind Girona’s rocky trajectory, echoed in the intensity of every duel and the urgency of each upcoming match.

Assessing Girona’s Current La Liga Survival Prospects: Where Do They Stand?

Assessing Girona’s place in La Liga for 2025 requires a nuanced look at their fluctuating performances and the unforgiving league table. Currently positioned 16th, Girona hold a mere three-point cushion above the relegation zone. Their tally of around 38 points belies the turmoil beneath, especially considering just one victory in their last thirteen outings—a sharp contrast to the previous season’s fairy tale ending.

The stark numbers illustrate a team struggling to replicate last year’s form, when Michel’s high-intensity pressing and attacking flair earned them a third-place finish and qualification for the Champions League. The demanding schedule, coupled with injuries and an unsettled squad, has led to continuity issues that Michel openly admits need fixing.

Key reasons influencing Girona’s league position include:

• Squad upheaval: Loss of critical players like Artem Dovbyk and Savinho has drained firepower and physical presence upfront.
• Injury crises: Essential players missed crucial games, disrupting tactical fluidity.
• Poor transfer decisions: New signings such as Abel Ruiz and Yaser Asprilla have yet to match the departed stars’ impact.
• Lack of continuity: Just one occasion this season saw the team string together consecutive clean sheets.
• Psychological strain: The pressure of defending their top-flight status has led to visible cautiousness on the pitch, a far cry from earlier risk-taking styles.

Girona’s upcoming fixtures, including a significant clash with Deportivo Alaves, offer crucial opportunities to regain footing. A victory could boost them into seventh place temporarily and fuel a much-needed momentum shift. Yet, every match grows heavier in stakes as the squad battles the cumulative effects of a congested calendar and the psychological burden of underperformance.

Statistic	Current Season	Previous Season
La Liga Position	16th	3rd
Points	38	70+
Victories in Last 13 Matches	1	8
Clean Sheets (Consecutive)	1	Multiple

Understanding these contextual details reveals that Girona’s survival is far from guaranteed but not out of reach. With a focused strategy addressing these shortcomings, the Catalans can still fight back.

How Squad Changes and Injuries Have Shaped Girona’s Season Struggles

The seismic shifts in Girona’s player roster from the Champions League high to their current struggles in La Liga highlight how critical squad stability is to team success. When stars like Artem Dovbyk — the league’s most dominant striker last season — and Savinho, a dazzling dribbler, left for bigger clubs, the void was stark.

Management attempted to plug gaps through signings like Abel Ruiz and Yaser Asprilla. However, these newcomers have struggled to replicate the dynamic presence and physical superiority that Dovbyk offered Michel’s side. Ruiz, notably, lacks the imposing stature and box dominance vital for Girona’s lone striker system. Abel’s shy demeanor and early professional struggles have raised questions about his readiness to fill giant shoes.

Meanwhile, legendary veteran Cristhian Stuani has been increasingly relied upon, despite being close to 40 and better suited as a super-substitute rather than a starter. The balance between experience and physical decline has become a thorn for Girona’s frontline. The club’s inability to acquire permanent deals for important players like Eric Garcia further compounds their challenges, weakening squad depth.

• Impact of key departures: Lost attacking edge and fluidity.
• Underwhelming transfers: New signings have not matched quality, notably in goal threat and creativity.
• Over-reliance on aging players: Stuani’s limited mobility hampers offensive momentum.
• Injury crisis: Squad rotation falters under pressure, losing rhythm and form.
• Champions League fatigue: A small squad struggled to accommodate the extra fixtures.

These elements created a spiral, where confidence dwindled and tactical adjustments couldn’t restore earlier attacking vigor. Notably, defender Ladislav Krejci stands out as one of the few consistent performers, offering solidity in defense amid the chaos upfront.

A balanced squad must not only feature depth but players whose profiles fit the team’s core strategies. Girona’s failure to adequately replace brilliant contributors from the previous season has culminated in a less coherent, risk-averse side struggling to break down opponents.

Player	Role Last Season	Current Situation
Artem Dovbyk	Key striker, physical prowess	Transferred to AS Roma
Savinho	Creative winger, dribbling star	Transferred to Manchester City
Abel Ruiz	New signing, striker	Struggling to dominate box
Cristhian Stuani	Veteran striker	Often starter despite age
Eric Garcia	On loan, defender	Couldn’t be signed permanently

Tactical Shifts Under Michel: From Attack-Heavy Risks to Cautious Survival Play

Michel’s earlier season success was built on a fearless attacking philosophy — a high line, pressured pressing, and a willingness to open games up. Girona was that unpredictable team charging forward like a battalion, scoring thrilling goals but sometimes paying for it defensively. It was the football of dreams for neutral fans, spiced by talents like Viktor Tsygankov and others who thrived in a fluid, expansive system.

However, 2025 sees a very different Girona. Injury troubles and loss of key attacking players forced Michel to recalibrate. The result is a squad now marked by disjointed transitions, lower risk-taking, and a defensive posture that seems rooted in paranoia rather than confidence.

• From aggressive pressing to cautious defense: Girona’s game now often involves sitting deeper to avoid conceding.
• Loss of continuity: Frequent lineup changes and lack of a settled formation hampers reading the game.
• Reliance on set pieces and counter-attacks: A tactical shift prompted by lack of fresh attacking ideas.
• Psychological barrier: Fear of defeat replacing the thrill of victory mindset.

Michel admits it is “too early” to determine if they can replicate European ambitions and stresses the importance of returning to consistency. With just a few matches left, the pressure mounts to restore the spirit that saw Girona defy the odds last year.

For fans interested in tactical evolutions in La Liga’s competitive landscape, see detailed analyses such as Barcelona midfield revolution and explore other La Liga top four battles shaping the 2025 season.

Predicting Girona’s Upcoming Matches: Key Games That Will Decide Their Fate

Girona’s road to avoiding relegation runs through pivotal upcoming matches where every point counts. Their first fixture after the winter break, against Deportivo Alaves — boasting new manager Eduardo Coudet — promises high intensity. Alaves’ pattern of draws since Coudet’s arrival hints at a tight contest likely to be settled by small margins.

Success in this match would temporarily propel Girona above Real Sociedad, potentially renewing confidence and belief.

Upcoming crucial La Liga fixtures include:

1. Deportivo Alaves: Known for physical duels and aggressive pressing under new management.
2. Matches against mid-table rivals where Girona can capitalize on home advantage.
3. Challengers with European ambitions, requiring disciplined and resolute performances to snatch points.

Each game will test Girona’s squad depth, tactical flexibility, and mental toughness. As some clubs benefit from recent sponsorships by global brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma, Girona’s backing by partners like New Balance and Castore reflect their efforts to build a strong commercial identity amid sporting struggles. Off the pitch, sponsorship energy from companies like EA Sports, Budweiser, and Heineken keeps the club’s visibility high, supporting ambitions even in adversity.

Opponent	Expected Challenge	Girona’s Key Concern
Deportivo Alaves	Aggressiveness, recent draws	Maintaining composure and tactical discipline
Real Sociedad	European qualification battles	Securing points to jump table
Other mid-table teams	Competitive encounters	Avoiding complacency and injuries

Keeping fans close to the action, social media buzz around Girona has been intense. Their resilience and passion provide the ultimate theatre for supporters, making every game a must-watch spectacle framed by rising hopes and fears alike.

What Girona Must Do to Secure La Liga Survival: Strategies and Mindset for the Final Push

Survival in La Liga will demand Girona embrace both strategy and mental strength in these last stages. It is clear that simply relying on past glories or hopeful signings won’t suffice. Michel and his squad must focus on coherent, pragmatic football blended with unrelenting fighting spirit.

Key steps for Girona to avoid relegation include:

• Restoring continuity: Minimizing lineup changes to build understanding and rhythm on the pitch.
• Reinventing attack: Finding new combinations and tactical tweaks to unlock opposing defenses, possibly drawing inspiration from clubs mastering midfield innovation such as Girona’s own blueprint or others reshaping La Liga.
• Physical and mental conditioning: Managing player fitness to reduce injuries and maintaining sharpness under pressure.
• Encouraging risk-taking: Regaining the confidence that led to spectacular comebacks and dynamic play last season.
• Maximizing home advantage: Leveraging passionate supporters and the intensity of home games to collect vital points.

With adversity surrounding the club, leadership will be tested not just on tactics but fostering a resilient mindset among players. Alliances with brands like Umbro and Under Armour bring fresh energy and professionalism that could help uplift spirits and elevate performance if harnessed effectively.

If Girona manage to implement these strategies, their story will remain one of grit and revival. The next few weeks hold a chapter filled with drama, passion, and the collective heartbeat of football fans echoing “Vamos!”