Key Facts
- Girona sits in 15th place with 31 points and is in danger of relegation; every point lost is currently costly.
- Defensive problems for Girona: they have conceded goals in each of their last five league games; 43 goals conceded in total (third-worst record).
- Vitor Reis is suspended for Girona, meaning the team loses its most consistent defensive player.
- Athletic has shown offensive stability despite Nico Williams’ absence (groin injury) and has scored in three consecutive league matches.
- The last five head-to-head matches have all ended with goals from both sides and at least two goals per game – a sign of a high-scoring match.
- Athletic has been successful away at Montilivi (three wins in their last five away games) and is just four points behind the European spots—Athletic Bilbao is the favorite.),“Joel Roca has established himself as an offensive option with a goal and an assist in limited playing time and could pose a threat to Girona, especially if the team is trailing.
Vitor Reis has started 25 of 26 league games this season, and just when Girona hosts Athletic Club at Montilivi, he is out due to a yellow card suspension. An inopportune moment for a defense that is already among the most vulnerable in the league. On the other hand, Iñaki Williams will make his 500th official competitive appearance for Athletic on this 28th LaLiga matchday, adding an extra layer of significance to the match. Both clubs have concrete goals for the season: Girona sits in 15th place with 31 points, level on points with Sevilla and four points above the relegation zone; Athletic is in 10th place with 35 points and has set 42 points as its first internal target before even thinking about Europe.
- Venue: Estadio Municipal de Montilivi, Girona
- Date and time: March 14, 2026, 2:00 PM
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 28)
Girona has conceded goals in each of its last five league matches and, with Vitor Reis now suspended, is losing its most consistent defensive player. The central defense will therefore have little experience at this level. Athletic, on the other hand, has scored in three consecutive league matches despite missing key players: Nico Williams is out with groin pain, and Rego is suspended. This underscores the team’s offensive stability, even when not fielding its strongest lineup. Given Girona’s defensive struggles and Athletic’s ability to score, it seems quite realistic that both teams will find the net. Furthermore, Athletic’s clearly superior recent form in the league, along with historically favorable results at Montilivi, point toward an away win or at least a draw.
Girona Form & Record Check
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Levante once again showcased Girona in all its inconsistency: first conceding a goal, then being saved deep into stoppage time by substitute Joel Roca. The unbeaten streak now stands at two games, but the defensive weaknesses are obvious. The 2-1 home win against Barcelona showed what this team is capable of, but the subsequent 1-2 loss to Celta highlighted their inconsistency just as clearly. The pattern in the second half of the season is familiar: Girona often performs well against teams in the upper half of the table, but struggles against those at the bottom. They’ve conceded 43 goals so far; only Oviedo and Levante have let in more. And now Vitor Reis is also out due to suspension. Alejandro Francés is likely to slot in alongside Blind at center back, while Witsel has also been discussed as a stopgap in the back line. Álex Moreno remains sidelined with a muscle injury, which further strains the full-back positions.
Formation: 4-2-3-1. Expected starting lineup: GK: Unknown; RB: Unknown; CBs: Daley Blind and Alejandro Francés (replacing the suspended Vitor Reis); LB: Unknown; Central Midfielders: Juanfri Beltrán and Axel Witsel; Attacking Midfield/Forward Trio: Joel Roca (behind the striker) plus two wingers/attacking midfielders (unknown); Striker: Hugo Vanat. Key Notes: Vitor Reis is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, so Alejandro Francés is expected to start alongside Blind in central defense. Hugo Rincón is eligible to play against his former club, as his loan agreement does not include a no-play clause. Joel Roca has earned a spot in the attacking midfield role following strong performances, scoring one goal and providing one assist in limited playing time over the last three matches.
Bilbao Form & Record Check
Most recently, Athletic suffered a 0-1 home loss to Barcelona in La Liga, with Lamine Yamal scoring the decisive goal. Prior to that, the Basques went three league games unbeaten, including two away wins: 2-1 in Oviedo and 2-1 in Elche. These away wins show that Athletic is certainly capable of picking up points on the road, a skill that could prove valuable on the trip to Montilivi. Nico Williams remains sidelined with groin pain, meaning the left flank loses its most direct threat. Added to that is Rego’s suspension, which limits options in midfield and is likely to noticeably affect the intensity of the press. The overall picture isn’t bad, though: Athletic is just four points behind the European spots, has played perfect second halves in three of their last five matches, and Maroan Sannadi has returned to team training, so he could come off the bench if needed.
Formation: 4-2-3-1. Goalkeeper: Simón. Back four: Gorosabel (right), Vivian (right center-back), Laporte (left center-back), Yuri (left). Double pivot: Jauregizar and Ruiz de Galarreta. Attacking midfielder: Sancet. Left wing: Berenguer (replacing Nico Williams). Striker: Iñaki Williams. Nico Williams is out with groin pain; a return date has not been set. Berenguer is expected to step in on the left wing. This is the most notable absence and noticeably costs the squad speed and penetration down the left flank. Valverde’s 4-2-3-1 formation positions Sancet as the creative linchpin behind the striker, while the two defensive midfielders handle defensive cover and transitions. In Nico Williams’ absence, Berenguer is expected to provide width and crosses, and fullbacks Gorosabel and Yuri could also be involved in the attacks. While Sancet has shown flashes of brilliance, he still lacks the consistency he displayed last season, which is why the balance and defensive discipline of the double six will be all the more important. Iñaki Williams is approaching his 500th competitive match for the club and is expected to lead the attack from the start in this match.
Girona – Bilbao Head-to-Head & Statistics
The last five meetings have yielded two wins for Athletic, two draws, and one win for Girona. Athletic’s most convincing win was a 3-0 victory at San Mamés in February 2025, while Girona celebrated its only win in this series with a 2-1 victory at Montilivi in October 2024. The most recent match in September 2025 at San Mamés ended 1-1. Both teams have scored in all five matches, and every game has featured at least two goals. The first halves have generally been quiet, with Athletic finding their rhythm after the break in four of the five matches. Girona has conceded at least one goal in all five head-to-head matches in this series, regardless of the venue. Another high-scoring game on Saturday would come as little surprise.
