Girona Vs Alavés

The fight for La Liga survival intensifies as Deportivo Alavés prepare to travel to Estadi Montilivi this Saturday, where they will clash with Girona in a high-stakes encounter. With the season drawing closer to its conclusion, both sides find themselves in precarious situations—though for very different reasons—making this upcoming fixture one filled with tension, uncertainty, and a great deal of pressure for all involved.

Alavés, currently languishing in 17th position in the La Liga standings, are locked in a fierce battle to avoid slipping into the dreaded relegation zone. They find themselves level on points with 18th-placed Leganés, and the margin for error has virtually disappeared. Every remaining match represents a potential turning point, and a negative result could plunge them into the bottom three. For the Basque club, the task is as clear as it is daunting: they must accumulate points with immediate urgency if they hope to retain their top-flight status for another season.

Meanwhile, Girona are not as comfortably placed as they might have hoped at this stage of the campaign. Despite occupying 13th position, they are only seven points clear of the relegation zone, and a few more poor performances could see them dragged into the survival dogfight themselves. A campaign that began with optimism following last season’s historic third-place finish has since spiraled into one marked by inconsistency, missed opportunities, and a struggle to replicate the cohesion that defined their previous success.

Michel’s side has hit a rough patch since the beginning of February, and the statistics lay bare their recent troubles. Over their last seven La Liga outings, Girona have failed to record a single victory. Instead, they have only mustered three draws—against Celta Vigo, Espanyol, and Valencia—while losing the remaining four matches. Most recently, they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of title-chasing Barcelona, a result that underscored the gap in quality and highlighted Girona’s fragility when facing elite opposition.

This slump in form has not only seen them slip in the standings but also eroded the confidence that was once a hallmark of this ambitious Catalan side. Their current league tally stands at nine victories, seven draws, and 13 defeats, giving them a total of 34 points. While this is sufficient for 13th place, it offers little breathing room considering the tight cluster of teams in the lower half of the table. A continuation of their winless streak would almost certainly jeopardize their mid-table status and put them in real danger of being overtaken by clubs currently below them.

The disappointment is all the more profound when considering Girona's extraordinary achievements in the 2023-24 season. Then, they were the surprise package of the campaign, defying expectations to secure a third-place finish and clinching an unprecedented berth in the UEFA Champions League. The energy, tactical discipline, and attacking verve that defined their play last season have been largely absent this term, and the regression has been difficult for fans and players alike to come to terms with. Now, the primary objective has shifted from chasing continental dreams to simply ensuring survival.

Despite the downturn, Girona have remained relatively competitive on home soil. They have managed to collect 21 points from 14 home league fixtures so far in the 2024-25 campaign. This relatively solid home record will be a source of optimism for the team and its supporters as they prepare to host an Alavés side that has struggled significantly on the road. Alavés have managed just 11 points from their 15 away games, a statistic that paints a bleak picture of their performances outside of Mendizorrotza.

Alavés approach this critical fixture following a demoralizing 2-0 home defeat against Rayo Vallecano. The result was a major setback in their quest for safety, as it allowed their relegation rivals to close the gap and kept Alavés perilously close to the drop zone. With only a handful of matches remaining, head coach Eduardo Coudet knows that time is running out. The stakes are enormous, and the pressure is mounting on the squad to deliver when it matters most.

Ironically, Alavés themselves enjoyed a strong 2023-24 season, finishing in 10th place and earning widespread praise for their balanced and competitive displays. However, as with Girona, that form has proven difficult to replicate. The current campaign has seen them lose their grip on consistency, and instead of building on last year’s progress, they have been drawn into a desperate fight for survival. Injuries, tactical missteps, and a lack of goal-scoring prowess have all contributed to their decline.

That said, not all is doom and gloom for the Basque outfit. There have been signs of resilience and promise in recent weeks. In their last four La Liga games, they have only suffered one defeat. They picked up hard-fought draws against Mallorca and Las Palmas, both of whom are difficult opponents, and even managed to secure a vital 1-0 victory over Villarreal at home on March 8. These results have offered a glimmer of hope that Coudet’s men might be able to pull themselves clear of the relegation scrap if they can build some momentum in the closing stages of the season.

Nevertheless, recent history has not been kind to Alavés when it comes to encounters with Girona. The Blue and Whites have not defeated the Catalan side in La Liga since May 2019. Since then, they have struggled in direct matchups, losing two of the last three meetings. The most recent of these came in January 2025, when Girona edged out a narrow 1-0 win—a result that emphasized their ability to grind out points even when not at their best. Even more alarmingly for Alavés, they suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Girona in the corresponding fixture last season, a performance that laid bare the gulf in quality at the time.

From a tactical perspective, both teams are likely to approach this match with caution, fully aware of the potential consequences of a defeat. Girona, playing at home, may feel the need to take the initiative and control possession, especially considering their relatively strong record at Montilivi. Michel will look to his creative midfielders and wingers to provide the spark that has been missing in recent weeks. The return to scoring form will be essential if they are to regain the rhythm that made them so potent last season.

On the other hand, Alavés may opt for a more pragmatic approach, prioritizing defensive organization and looking to capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities. With their poor away record, Coudet’s men will be wary of overcommitting, knowing that even a single point could prove invaluable in the long run. The key for Alavés will lie in their ability to remain compact at the back while being clinical in the final third when chances arise.

Individual performances will undoubtedly be crucial in determining the outcome. Girona will be relying on their experienced players to step up, particularly those who were instrumental during their successful 2023-24 campaign. Leadership on the pitch will be vital, especially in guiding the younger players through the pressure of what is likely to be a tense and closely contested encounter. For Alavés, the emphasis will be on unity, discipline, and seizing key moments. With the margin for error razor-thin, moments of individual brilliance or defensive lapses could decide the fate of the game—and perhaps the season.

Psychologically, both teams are under immense pressure. Girona’s decline from Champions League participants to relegation-threatened is a harsh reality to grapple with, and managing that shift in expectations is a challenge for both the players and coaching staff. Meanwhile, Alavés must summon the mental fortitude to rise above the looming threat of relegation, maintaining belief and intensity even when the odds appear to be stacked against them.

This weekend’s showdown at Estadi Montilivi is more than just a battle for three points—it is a clash of contrasting narratives, a meeting of two clubs who have seen better days and now find themselves fighting for relevance and stability. The result will not only shape the immediate future of both Girona and Alavés but could also have lasting repercussions for the direction of each club in the seasons to come.

With both sides desperate for a positive result, the encounter promises to be fiercely competitive, emotionally charged, and tactically intriguing. As the season edges toward its conclusion, every match takes on heightened importance, and for these two struggling teams, Saturday’s clash could prove pivotal. The stakes are sky-high, the pressure is palpable, and the outcome could reverberate throughout the rest of their campaigns. All eyes will be on Montilivi as Girona and Alavés fight to secure their places in Spain’s top division.