In a pivotal clash with potential UEFA Champions League implications, Athletic Club and Girona square off on Monday. Athletic’s bid for a top-four finish has hit a snag, slipping behind Barcelona and Atlético Madrid after a string of lackluster performances, including a disappointing 0-0 draw against bottom-ranked Almería.

However, at their fortress of San Mamés, Athletic remains formidable, boasting the longest active home winning streak in La Liga with six consecutive victories. Victories against European contenders like Atlético, Real Sociedad, and Las Palmas have fueled their aspirations for a Champions League return.

Despite Girona trailing by ten points, Athletic shouldn’t underestimate them. Girona’s hopes of a Champions League berth took a hit with a recent loss to Real Madrid, but coach Míchel remains optimistic, targeting around 73-75 points for qualification. Girona’s impressive record against all but Real Madrid, coupled with draws against top-ranked teams like Real Betis and Real Sociedad, underscores their resilience.

In terms of players to watch, Athletic’s captain Iker Muniain continues to be a talismanic figure, consistently delivering when he finds the net. Girona’s Viktor Tsygankov has been in fine form, particularly in matches where he’s been on the scoresheet.

A notable statistic is that neither team has suffered a defeat in league matches after taking the lead this season.