After the Champions League, return to La Liga for Real Madrid. Hanging in their last two outings in the league, the Merengues finally had to find their way to victory, on the pitch at the Montilivi Stadium, against Girona (18th) as part of the 14th day. Facing the red lantern, Xabi Alonso aligned a 4-3-3 and made five changes compared to the success at Olympiakos in C1 (3-4) on Wednesday. Sick at the start of the week, Courtois resumed his place in goal. Absent for two months, Rüdiger returned to defense with Militao, while Fran García started on the left. On the bench in Greece, Bellingham was partnered by Valverde and Tchouameni in the middle. Also note the return of Mastantuono, who had not played since November 1 against Valencia. Opposite, Michel notably established the Belgian Axel Witsel and Azzedine Ounahi, formerly of OM, in the middle.
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From the start, Real tried to put pressure on their opponent. After a Mbappé festival, Güler’s powerful shot passed just wide of Gazzaniga’s right post (9th). In the process, the attempt by Madrid number 10 went well over the bar (11th). Girona tried to be dangerous in transition and even had the first shot on target of the match, with Tsigongov (26th). A few moments later, Ounahi’s curler passed close to Courtois’ left post (27th). Ten minutes later, Militão headed in from close range after a cross from Mbappé, forcing Gazzaniga to fly away to avert the danger (38th). Mbappé then thought he would open the score following a mix-up in the area. But his goal was canceled after a handball from him (41st). To the great dismay of Real, surprised just before the break. On a new counter, Moreno found Tsygankov in the middle. The Ukrainian then shifted towards Ounahi in the area. With a first intention strike, the Moroccan shot Courtois’ goal to give Girona the advantage (44th, 1-0).
Third consecutive draw in La Liga for Real
Unsatisfied with the contribution of his players, Xabi Alonso decided to sacrifice Güler for Camavinga at half-time. Nothing to scare Girona, very close to a second goal, when Ivan Martin found Vanat perfectly. Courtois quickly went to the ground to save Real from a second goal (57th). Eight minutes later, Rincon stepped on the foot of Vinícius Júnior in the area. As usual, it was Mbappé who appeared in front of the goalkeeper. If Gazzaniga started on the right side, the Frenchman managed to convert his penalty to score a 14th goal in the championship and put the two teams back on level terms (1-1, 67th).
The pressure then increased on the Catalan cage, notably with several attempts by Vinicius (78th, 79th and 82nd). But the Brazilian once again showed great imprecision in this match. Girona also had cartridges to fold this match, with Roca (84th). The match point of this meeting was for Mbappé, after a slip from Bellingham. But the ex-Parisian’s shot missed Gazzaniga’s left post (90th + 4). After Rayo Vallecano (0-0) and Elche (2-2), the Madrilenians conceded a third draw in a row (1-1). Real therefore carried out the bad operation of this day, falling to 2nd place in the ranking and ceding the place of leader of the championship to FC Barcelona.
