Girona's downfall: from third last season to possible La Liga drop

Just a year ago, Girona made headlines in Spain after finishing the 2023/24 campaign in third to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history. But the tide has quickly turned in the opposite direction for 'Los Angeles', who now find themselves looming dangerously closer to the relegation zone, as they sit 16th in this season's La Liga standings.

Going from registering 81 points in 38 games last year to just 35 in 33 this season has been quite the downfall for Michel's side. Having lost key players like Aleix Garcia and Artem Dovbyk going into the 2024/25 season, with the duo moving to Bayer Leverkusen and Roma, respectively, Girona have been unable to replicate last term's heroics.

They were eliminated in the league phase of the Champions League after losing seven of their eight games - their only win was against Slovan Bratislava - and now face the daunting task of surviving the drop. But Girona have won just once from their last 14 fixtures, coming away with 7 points from 42 available and making that job look that much harder.

And Thursday's 1-1 draw at Leganes only served to intensify fears that Girona could return to the 'Segunda Division' after leaving it in June 2022. To avoid this, the 'Blanquivermells' will have to put the blow past them and aim for points in their remaining five clashes against Mallorca (home), Villarreal (home), Valladolid (away), Real Sociedad (away) and Atletico Madrid (home).