Girona take on the visitors Arsenal in the round 8 match of UEFA Champions League group stage. The match will be played on Wednesday, January 29th at Estadio Municipal de Montilivi (Girona).
Girona was the biggest sensation in Spanish football last season. Despite only playing their fourth season in La Liga (and second since returning from the Segunda), they even briefly led the table. In the end, they finished third, behind Real Madrid and Barcelona but ahead of Atletico. A drop-off was expected, especially after selling key players like Artem Dovbyk in the summer and bringing in several new faces. However, Girona has managed to stay competitive in La Liga, fighting for another European spot. Their Champions League campaign, however, has been a disaster. Starting with Gazzaniga’s costly mistake leading to a 0-1 loss to PSG, Girona has struggled to find their footing. Other than beating the clearly weaker Slovan Bratislava, they’ve lost every match, including games against Sturm Graz. Last week in Milan, they conceded before halftime and failed to respond, losing yet again. Girona’s lack of squad depth and inexperience has been glaring in Europe, as they’ve consistently fallen short against stronger opposition.
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Arsenal having an inconsistent season. The Gunners have undoubtedly improved under Mikel Arteta, twice finishing as Manchester City’s closest challengers in the Premier League. Last season, they marked their return to the Champions League by topping their group, though they eventually fell to Bayern Munich in the knockout rounds. This season started strongly, but Arsenal’s performances have become less consistent. Disappointments like a 0-2 loss to Newcastle in the League Cup semifinals and an FA Cup elimination to Manchester United, even while playing with a numerical advantage, have highlighted their struggles. In the Premier League, the gap to leaders Liverpool is already significant, and with several competitors vying for the top four, maintaining a Champions League spot will be a challenge. In Europe, however, Arsenal has been largely reliable, with the only hiccups coming against Italian opposition (0-0 with Atalanta and 0-1 to Inter). Wins over Shakhtar, Stuttgart, and Young Boys, combined with a goalless draw against Celtic, secured their place in the playoffs early. Last week, they comfortably beat Dinamo Zagreb.
This marks Girona’s debut in European competitions, meaning every opponent, including Arsenal, is visiting Catalonia for the first time. The Gunners are both stronger and more experienced, making them clear favorites against a demotivated Girona side with little left to play for in this competition.
Prediction for the match: Arsenal to win.
