Girona and Levante Battle for First Win in La Liga
It’s shaping up to be a very tense afternoon at Montilivi, where Girona will face Levante in a matchup that has become more than just another early-season fixture. Both sides are under pressure, and both are desperate to finally grab their first win of the campaign.
For Girona, the excitement of finishing third in the 2023–24 season feels like a distant memory. Last year, survival was barely secured by a single point, and this season has already opened with another rocky start. A nightmare against Rayo Vallecano saw them lose heavily after conceding three goals and having their goalkeeper sent off. That collapse was followed by a humbling 5–0 defeat to Villarreal, where four goals were shipped inside the first half-hour. A 2–0 loss to Sevilla added to the misery, and even when Vladyslav Vanat struck early against Celta Vigo, Girona were denied a much-needed win after conceding a stoppage-time penalty. Instead of momentum, they walked away with frustration.
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The history books don’t give them much comfort either. Girona have never beaten Levante at home in Spain’s top flight, managing only a single draw from their previous meetings in Montilivi. The last time they hosted Levante in La Liga, it ended in a 2–1 defeat back in May 2019. That memory will surely linger, and it’s something the players will want to set right.
Levante, on the other hand, are back in La Liga after a three-year absence, having stormed the Segunda Division with 79 points last season. Their return hasn’t been smooth either, but their performances have shown flashes of potential. In their opener against Alaves, defeat came only through a stoppage-time strike. Then came Barcelona, where Levante stunned the champions by going two goals ahead before being overturned in a 3–2 loss. A setback followed against Elche, but their most recent outing against Real Betis highlighted both promise and frustration. Goals from Ivan Romero and Karl Etta Eyong gave them a two-goal cushion, but it all slipped away after Betis rallied back for a 2–2 draw.
The main concern for Levante has been their defense. Only Girona have conceded more goals so far this season, and that weakness has cost them dearly in tight matches. Still, they’ve gone unbeaten in their last four encounters with Girona, which may offer a psychological edge heading into this clash.
In terms of team news, Girona are struggling with several injuries, including Juan Carlos, David Lopez, and Ricard Artero. There are also doubts over Thomas Lemar and Viktor Tsygankov, while Joel Roca remains a fitness concern. Levante have their own issues, though defender Matias Moreno is expected to return after suffering only cramp last week, while Romero and Eyong are likely to continue their promising partnership up front.
Given the defensive troubles of both sides, goals are expected, and neither team can really afford another setback. A high-scoring draw would not be surprising, and many believe the spoils could end up being shared again. But make no mistake—both Girona and Levante will walk onto the pitch knowing that this might be their best chance yet to turn the season around.
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