Matchday 31
After a disappointing Champion’s League match on Tuesday Los Blancos will be looking to make their mark on LaLiga this Friday night. They welcome Girona who are in 12th place.
Madrid with the first corner of the match. They can’t quite make it work, with Girona’s keeper Gazzaniga easily catching the ball. Mpabbé with the next big chance for the Homeside. The Frenchman is in front of the goal by himself with only Gazzaniga to stop him. He chooses an odd angle and can’t get it past the keeper.
Moreno keeps Girona in the game, by saving the ball on the line after a series of defensive mistakes by the visitors. The biggest chance of the match so far! Their 4-2-3-1 lineup trying to keep up with Madrid’s constant advances.
Big Chance for Girona! Ounahi shoots from the left side of the box aiming for the top left of the goal. Ultimately Lunin can get his hands on it to keep the ball out of the net.
Mbappé collides with Reis just on the edge of the Girona box. Shortly after Bellingham’s attempt on goal goes wide. So far not the evening Los Blancos need.
Martinez with the next chance for Girona. His shot from outside the box is very close but just goes wide to the left. With 27 minutes of playtime the match has been very even: Real Madrid have had 54% of the possession, Girona the remaining 46%. 5 and 3 shots on respectively of which 2 and 1 have been on target.
Valverde tries to lead Madrid to a goal just shy of the 30th minute, however Gazzaniga is in top form tonight and saves his long shot – Valverde’s specialty.
Foul by Mbappé on Lemar. Referee Javier Rojas decides on a yellow card. much to the protest of Mbappé and the fans in the Bernabéu. Foul by Arnau, who hits Fran Garcia in the face, similar to the incident shortly before. The energy has definitely shifted in the match now. Whilst Garcia is being treated Mbappé has gone to the sideline to complain to the fourth official. Due to this his team needs him up front during their next advance and he can’t make it back in time. Not the best prioritisation from the striker.
Good chance by XX for Girona, just before the halftime. Madrid have been unlucky in their offence and Girona’s defence has been very strong. 1 minute is added to the first half.
Bellingham with the first chance of the second half.
GOAL for Real Madrid! Valverde (once again) with a long shot just outside the box. The Uruguayan’s shot powerfully makes his way behind Gazzaniga.
Camavinga lobs it over the goal. Madrid has now woken up and is eager to build their lead. A big mistake from Girona almost costs them a second goal but luckily for them Mbappé and Vini are not in sync in this case.
GOAL for Girona! Lemar also makes a long shot missile work for him. Girona further proving that they are on par with Madrid tonight.
Güler and Huijsen are coming on for Militao and Bellingham.
Girona with multiple chances on goal now. With 15 minutes left to play they could potentially even be the stronger team on the pitch. Madrid have completely lost their spark, as Valverde gets shown the yellow card for a foul on Francés.
Camavinga and Fran Garcia come off and Mendy and Tchouameni come on for them. With not much changing in Madrid’s game Arbeloa is sending Brahim off for Gonzalo.
Foul in the box. Mbappé is down and the medical staff is called. He can play on.
Six minutes are added to the second half.
There’s a lot of nitty-gritty hackling going on now between the two sides. Mbappé is desperate to make his mark on this match but in his desperation keeps losing the ball.
Despite the final score Real Madrid will consider themselves the losers of this matchup, whilst Girona can celebrate a great performance tonight.
