Girona secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Athletic Club on Saturday, bolstering their position in La Liga and extending their cushion above the relegation zone. However, the win at the Municipal de Montilivi was witnessed by the smallest crowd of the season, a detail that casts a slight shadow over an otherwise positive afternoon for the Catalan club. The match, featuring goals from Hugo Rincón, Azzedine Ounahi, and Claudio Echeverri, saw a turnout of just 8,811 spectators – 2,560 fewer than the previous home fixture against Celta Vigo fifteen days prior (11,371).
The low attendance figure, reported by Diari de Girona, is the worst at Montilivi in the last ten months and the second-lowest in the last thirty-three league matches. The unfavorable conditions – a 2:00 PM kickoff and persistent rainfall throughout the day – undoubtedly played a significant role in keeping fans away. It’s a familiar scenario for Girona, as similar weather patterns impacted attendance during a crucial match against Mallorca last May.
That match against Mallorca, on May 5th of last year, drew only 7,721 fans, a time when Girona was battling to avoid relegation. The team was in a dire run of form, having collected just 4 points from a possible 33, and the Monday evening kickoff combined with the relentless rain kept many supporters at home. Despite the sparse crowd, the victory over Mallorca proved pivotal, ending an eleven-game winless streak and effectively securing their La Liga status the following week at Real Valladolid.
Saturday’s attendance, alongside the Mallorca match, represents the two lowest turnouts at Montilivi in the past season and a half. Excluding matches played under the restrictions imposed by UEFA Champions League participation – where the retractable seating was unavailable, reducing capacity to 9,721 – only one other occasion saw the stadium fall below the 10,000-spectator mark. That was in December 2024, during a comfortable 3-0 win over Real Valladolid, which attracted 9,534 fans on a Friday evening.
Looking further back, the lowest attendance for a Primera División match at Montilivi remains the game against Rayo Vallecano (2-1) during the 2018-19 season. That match, played amidst a downpour during the Sant Narcís festivities, saw only 6,618 fans brave the elements. Eusebio Sacristán was the Girona manager at the time, while Míchel – currently managing Girona – was in charge of Rayo Vallecano.
The UEFA Champions League restrictions significantly impacted attendance figures during Girona’s European campaign last season. The reduced capacity due to the inability to use the retractable seating resulted in lower numbers for all four home matches. The lowest of these was the first, against Feyenoord (8,752), followed by Slovan Bratislava (9,246), Liverpool (9,241), and Arsenal (9,048).
While the on-field performance continues to improve – highlighted by Saturday’s dominant display – the club will undoubtedly be keen to see attendance figures rise. Paulo Gazzaniga, the Girona goalkeeper, was instrumental in the victory over Athletic Club, making three crucial saves to deny Sancet, Laporte, and Guruzeta. The goals from Rincón and Echeverri, their firsts for the club, added to the celebratory atmosphere, despite the smaller-than-usual crowd.
Girona’s next challenge comes on the road, as they travel to face Villarreal on March 22nd. The match, scheduled for a 4:00 PM local time kickoff (3:00 PM UTC), will be a key test of their recent form and a chance to further solidify their position in the La Liga table. Fans will be hoping for brighter weather and a larger traveling support to cheer on the team as they continue their impressive season.
The club will also be monitoring the fitness of key players ahead of the Villarreal clash. No injuries were reported following the Athletic Club match, but the demanding schedule means rotation may be necessary. Michel will likely assess the squad carefully before naming his starting lineup.
For Girona supporters, the focus remains firmly on maintaining their momentum and building on the positive results. The victory over Athletic Club was a statement of intent, and the team will be determined to carry that form into their upcoming fixtures. The hope is that a return to more favorable weather conditions will encourage a larger turnout at future matches, creating an even more vibrant atmosphere at Montilivi.
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