Diego Simeone’s Atlético de Madrid will be keen to collect all three points this weekend, to prove that they are a serious title challenger this season. After drawing 2-2 against Villarreal CF at the Estadio de la Cerámica in a thrilling opening game, they’ll now look to take a win in their first home match of the season, against Girona FC.
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Expectations are high for Los Colchoneros this term, as their squad has been strengthened with world-class players such as Julián Álvarez, Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sørloth. One other name to keep in mind is Rodrigo Riquelme, the Atlético de Madrid academy graduate who has worn the jerseys of both teams. In fact, he earned his place in the Atleti squad last season precisely because of his great campaign in the Girona FC squad in 2022/23.
Girona FC also drew their season opener, in their case a 1-1 draw against Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarín. They too have a new-look squad, with talents such as Bryan Gil, Iker Almena and Gabriel Misehouy, who scored the equaliser in the second half of their game last week.
Coach Míchel doesn’t want his players to become overconfident, though, and he has encouraged them to battle as hard as they did last season, when they secured a historic first ever Champions League qualification for the club. The coach even said after the opening game: “The goal might even be a bad thing for Misehouy, I don’t want him to take too much from it. He has a lot of talent, but there’s a need to focus and come together for the team.”
Both teams will have even more new faces for Sunday’s match. In the case of Girona FC, goalkeeper Pau López has joined the squad, while Conor Gallagher has moved from Chelsea FC to Atleti and will wear the red and white jersey this season.
As for the head-to-head duels between these teams, Atlético de Madrid have edged this rivalry as they have four wins to Girona FC’s one. However, there have also been five draws between these sides, as their meetings are often very hard-fought. It should be the case once more when they meet in Spain’s capital this weekend
