Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Girona FC (LaLiga MD25)

San Mames is set to host one of the standout clashes of the season as Athletic Club take on LaLiga high-flyers Girona FC.

Ernesto Valverde's take on a Girona side in the middle of the best campaign in their history and Monday's match presents the Lions with a golden opportunity to cut the gap to the top four.

Second in the standings, Girona are this season's surprise package and are firm favourites for a European place. There is no doubt that this clash will be a high-stakes, high-octane affair.

Match Info
Athletic Club vs Girona FC

San Mames, Bilbao

LaLiga EA Sports 23/24 (Matchday 25)

Monday February 19, 21:00 CET

How to Watch
A complete guide with kick-off times and LaLiga broadcasters around the world

Team News
Valverde named a 23-man squad for the clash.

Ander Herrera is unavailable due to a hamstring issue, while Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams are back in the squad after recovering from injury.

Valverde's Comments
Catch up with what he had to say at his pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

Head coach: Miguel "Michel" Ángel Sánchez Muñoz

After taking over in July 2021, Michel led the Catalans to LaLiga EA sports via the play-offs in his first season and consolidated their place in the top flight last year.

Having instilled a brand of innovative, attacking football, Michel's record at the Blanquivermells stands at 60 wins, 24 draws and 35 losses from a total of 119 matches at the side.

Top goalscorer: Artem Dovbyk

The Ukrainian target-man signed from SK Dnipro-1 in the summer and has proved to be one of the revelations of the 2023/24 season with 14 goals in 22 appearances.

Recent form: DWWDL

Girona have taken LaLiga by storm. They currently sit second in LaLiga, six points off leaders Real Madrid.

Their most recent outing was a 4-0 loss to Carlo Ancelotti's side at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Previous Meetings
The first LaLiga clash between the two sides took place back in 2017/18 with Athletic winning 2-0 at The Cathedral.

We've faced the Catalan outfit in LaLiga seven times in total with three wins, one draw and three defeats.

The Blanquivermells have only visited Bilbao three times, losing twice and winning 2-3 last season.

Athletic battled to a 1-1 draw at the Estadi Montilivi in November, one of just three matches in which Girona have not emerged victorious at home this campaign.

Viktor Tsygankov open the scoring for the Catalans in the 55th minute before Iñaki Williams equalised 12 minutes later.