Soccer players in red and white uniforms celebrating on the field with superimposed logos of the Catalan Football Federation and a well-known team.
Girona players celebrating with the Real Madrid crest and the Catalan Federation crest | Camara Real Madrid Confidencial
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Catalan Federation Gives Girona a Boost Days Before Facing Madrid

Real Madrid's next opponent might have a big favor before the match

by

Borja Díaz

Girona and Real Madrid will face each other this Sunday at Santiago Bernabéu in a key match. Ancelotti's team wants to end the 3 consecutive setbacks after so many refereeing controversies. Meanwhile, Míchel's team hopes to cling to the fight for European competitions after losing to Getafe.

Both teams could arrive in very different situations if we consider their schedules. Real Madrid faces Manchester City this Wednesday and they can't hold anything back. They are playing to advance to the Champions League round of 16 and bring a very narrow lead from the first leg.

A player in a light blue uniform interacts with a person on the field.
Haaland with his hand extended and Mbappé pointing at him | Real Madrid Confidencial

Meanwhile, Girona would have to face the semifinals of the Catalonia Cup against Andorra on the same day. However, they are waiting for the Catalan Football Federation to do them a big favor. They are seeking to have the match postponed to a later date.

If that finally happens, they will gain a big boost to arrive with several more days of rest than Madrid. A key factor if we consider the schedule that the Merengues are facing. The year 2025 is saturating with matches and putting the players' physical condition at risk.

Girona Seeks a Change of Venue, but the Postponement Is Also in the Air

Girona's complaints are about the stadium where the match would have to be played, Andorra's. In a statement they have published, they consider that "it doesn't meet the proper standards." Despite playing in the Second Division last season, they don't want to play there.

A soccer coach standing next to the Girona FC and Real Madrid crests in a stadium.
Ancelotti with the Madrid and Girona crests, with a line-up in the background | Real Madrid Confidencial

One of the proposals they have presented is to play at Montilivi, which would avoid the travel. They argue that they have "played three competitions this season." Therefore, they have had a "high concentration of minutes" and want to avoid risks.

They believe this increases the risk of injuries if the match ends up being played at Andorra's stadium. Right now, it seems unlikely that there will be a change of venue as they request. But according to RAC 1, the Catalan Federation could postpone the match, which would allow them to arrive rested on Sunday.

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