La Liga Round 6: Real Madrid Not Yet in Need of Rotation, Girona Struggling with Two-Front Battle

As the La Liga season progresses into its 6th round, reigning champions Real Madrid are slowly finding their rhythm, and their star-studded lineup is beginning to gel. The victory over Stuttgart in the UEFA Champions League has eased some pressure off the squad, especially with their eternal rivals Barcelona suffering a defeat. Meanwhile, Girona, one of the surprise packages from previous seasons, is starting to feel the wear and tear of competing on two fronts. With both domestic league and Champions League commitments weighing them down, Girona is beginning to falter, providing opportunities for lower-ranked teams like Valencia to capitalize.

Real Madrid vs Espanyol – Stars Finally Aligning for Los Blancos

After a challenging start to the season where Real Madrid struggled to fully integrate their galaxy of stars, their midweek 3-1 victory over Stuttgart in the Champions League provided a glimpse of what could be to come. What relieved the team and their fans more than the victory itself was the unexpected slip-up by Barcelona, who recorded their first loss of the season. Barcelona's early dominance had left many believing they would race to the title with a perfect record, but their stumble has given Real Madrid a much-needed psychological boost.

Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti has faced early-season headaches, mainly around getting his team to play cohesively. While individual performances from stars like Kylian Mbappé have been impressive at times, the lack of collective synergy was a point of concern. However, the game against Stuttgart showed signs of improvement, especially with Mbappé connecting well with the rest of the team. In the match, Real’s midfielders delivered long, pinpoint passes to Mbappé, creating one-on-one opportunities. Vinícius Júnior, in particular, demonstrated good vision, passing to Mbappé when he was in better positions.

This growing chemistry isn’t just about proving critics wrong about rumored locker room rifts between Mbappé and his teammates, but it has become a real tactical necessity. Still, Mbappé appeared overly cautious in some key moments, possibly a reflection of the immense pressure he’s been under since joining the club. Without the defensive mistakes from Stuttgart, Real Madrid might not have secured the win.

Looking ahead to their clash against Espanyol, Ancelotti is likely to keep most of his first-choice players in the starting lineup. Despite some heavy legs, the core group still has enough energy left, as the squad hasn’t entered a phase of fatigue just yet. While players like Brahim Díaz remain sidelined due to injury, there is little reason to anticipate major changes from the lineup that took on Stuttgart. Ancelotti will likely depend on the team to carry forward their momentum and impose themselves on Espanyol at home.

Espanyol, on the other hand, has been enjoying a positive run of form in La Liga, climbing to mid-table with two consecutive home wins. Their 4-2 victory over Alavés last weekend was highlighted by a standout performance from 26-year-old striker Javi Puado, who netted his first hat-trick in Spain’s top flight. A player whose career has fluctuated between La Liga and the second division, Puado scored 13 goals in the Segunda last season, playing a pivotal role in Espanyol’s promotion campaign. His brace in the second leg of the playoff final secured their place back in La Liga, and he has since become a fan favorite.

However, even with Espanyol’s recent upturn in form, they face a daunting task against a Real Madrid team that is starting to click. With Éder Militão likely to return to the starting lineup after being rested in midweek, Real’s defense will be bolstered. The potential inclusion of Militão adds to the home team’s chances of controlling the game, as Madrid’s key players show no signs of slowing down.

Valencia vs Girona – Can Valencia Exploit Girona’s Fatigue?

At the other end of the table, Valencia is still searching for their first win of the season. Currently rooted to the bottom of the La Liga standings, Valencia’s campaign has been disastrous thus far. Their most recent outing, a 3-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid, saw them dominated from start to finish. By halftime, Atlético had already scored twice, and Valencia never looked like getting back into the game. A stoppage-time goal added further insult to injury, leaving the Bats without much hope of rescuing points.

Valencia’s fixture list hasn’t been kind. In the opening five rounds, they’ve faced strong opposition, including Celta Vigo, who are currently seventh in the league. As a result, it’s been difficult for Valencia to build any momentum, but this weekend’s clash against Girona presents a more balanced challenge. Girona, while still a formidable opponent, is not the same force they were last season.

Last weekend, Girona took on Barcelona and, despite putting up a fight, were comprehensively beaten. The defeat was compounded by their midweek Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, where Girona’s shortcomings were further exposed. Against Barcelona, they didn’t hold anything back, engaging in a high-tempo, attacking game. But when they traveled to Paris, their energy levels were visibly depleted, and their performance reflected the exhaustion of juggling two competitions.

Although Girona’s 1-0 loss to PSG could have been much worse, it’s clear that their squad is feeling the strain of playing twice a week. Girona’s surprise run last season earned them a place in the Champions League, but the demands of European competition are now taking their toll. Teams have started to figure them out, and their squad depth is proving inadequate to maintain their early form. Even last season’s relegation contenders, like Valencia, are starting to sense vulnerability.

Girona’s top scorer from last season, Cristhian Stuani, has not been as effective, and their defense, which was once solid, has become porous. However, it’s important to note that Valencia has been far from convincing this season, especially against teams with similar profiles to Girona. Valencia’s biggest issue has been their inability to create scoring chances and convert them. Their midfield has looked disjointed, and they’ve lacked a reliable finisher upfront.

Valencia’s manager will likely be encouraged by the fact that Girona is expected to be physically drained from their European exploits. While Girona’s first team may still be stronger on paper, Valencia could have the upper hand in terms of fitness and energy levels. In this match, they need to maximize this advantage and keep Girona’s attacking players, such as Stuani and Aleix Garcia, quiet.

Girona’s Fall from Grace

Once considered one of the league’s most exciting underdog stories, Girona’s current season has been marked by inconsistency and decline. After last season’s heroics, where they defied expectations to qualify for Europe, Girona is now facing the reality of competing on two fronts with a limited squad. They’ve been unable to replace key players who left in the summer, and their reliance on veterans like Stuani is starting to show cracks.

Additionally, Girona’s tactical approach has been found out by many of their opponents. Teams have studied them extensively, and Girona’s high-octane, pressing style has lost much of its effectiveness. Opposing managers now prepare specifically for Girona’s strengths, and with fatigue setting in, they’ve struggled to impose themselves on matches.

Valencia, despite their struggles, will feel that this is an opportune time to face Girona. The home crowd at the Mestalla will expect their team to deliver a performance, and with Girona showing signs of wear, this could be Valencia’s chance to finally get their season on track.

In summary, La Liga’s sixth round presents contrasting challenges for Real Madrid and Girona. While Real Madrid can afford to keep their rotation to a minimum as their stars begin to click, Girona is facing the harsh reality of competing on two fronts. Valencia, desperate to climb out of the relegation zone, will look to exploit Girona’s fatigue and secure their first win of the season. As both matches unfold, the varying fortunes of these clubs will shape the narrative of the early La Liga season.