Our prediction for this Segunda Division match:
After shocking Sporting Gijon in their last league match, Real Sociedad will be aiming to escape the danger zone when they take on Girona on day 17. The Basques picked up vital three points from the Gijon game, but keep in mind that los Rojiblancos played without key attacker Uros Djurdjevic, who was on international duty with Montenegro. Head coach Xabi Alonso returns to the bench after he watched the Sporting Gijon game from the stands due to suspension.
The Catalans, on the other hand, aim to build on a 2-0 win over Cartagena. Girona continue to rely on veteran attacker Cristian Stuani, but seeing that the Catalan outfit often struggle on the travels, we are tempted to put our money on draw. This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides in the Spanish second tier.
Highlighted Player (Antonio Luna):
Antonio Luna is a product of Sevilla football academy. The pacey left back was born in Son Servera, Spain on March 17, 1991 and he made his senior debut with Sevilla B. Antonio Luna made 32 appearances in the league for the reserve team, while playing 21 games for los Sevillanos in the Spanish top flight.
After ending his loan spell with Mallorca in 2013, Luna moved to England and signed a three-year deal with Aston Villa. It has to be noted that the Spanish footballer found the net for the Villans on his Premier League debut in a 3-1 win over Arsenal. After making 17 appearances in the English elite division for the Villa Park outfit, he returned to Spain in 2015, signing a deal with Eibar.
Antonio Luna scored one goal in 41 appearances for los Armeros before joining fellow La liga side Levante in 2017. You should know that Luna has five caps for Spain U20 team.
Highlighted Team (Girona):
After several unsuccessful attempts, finally secured promotion to Primera Division at the end of the 2016/2017 season. The Catalan outfit finished the campaign in second place in the standings, 14 points behind Levante and only two clear of third-placed Getafe. Girona play their home games at Montilivi and the capacity of the venue is 9.286.
Speaking of the club history, Girona were founded in the café Norat in La Rambla of Girona on July 23, 1930 and they played their first official game against Colonia Artigas. A number of Spanish coaches were in charge of the team in the past, but it has to be noted that Uruguayan tactician Dagoberto Moll (1965/1966) and Karoly Plattko (1948/1949) of Hungary were in charge of the club as well.
The Catalan team wear white shirts with red stripes when playing at home, while the colour of their shorts is blue. The team’s away kits are blue and black and Sporting Gijon are considered one of Girona’s fiercest rivals.