A first defeat this season, in midweek at the hands of RB Leipzig, certainly seemed to have triggered the Blancos early on. Attempts arrived via Luka Modrić and Rodrygo in the opening minutes – the latter’s was particularly dangerous, the Brazilian forcing Paulo Gazzaniga into a wonderful save. The visitors occasionally threatened, as Valery Fernández directed a header narrowly wide of the left post.
Rodrygo then went close once more, this time with a terrific low drive from the edge of the box that crashed off the post. It wasn’t long before the Catalan outfit struck woodwork themselves, though, through Yangel Herrera’s left-footed effort following a counterattack. Despite the obvious difference between the two sides in the league table, Girona went toe-to-toe with the hosts throughout the opening period, with Real manager Carlo Ancelotti visibly disappointed at HT.
Cards, skirmishes, substitutions and an injury – the second period began with several stop-start moments that unsettled the Bernabéu and understandably so, given that Barcelona had drawn level on points at the table’s summit on Saturday evening with their 1-0 victory over Valencia. Real continued to dominate possession but remained rather predictable in the final third, sorely missing Karim Benzema’s poise upfront. However, Vinícius Júnior stepped up in the Frenchman’s absence, tapping home Fede Valverde’s cross in the 70th minute to put the reigning LaLiga champions ahead. Substitute Marco Asensio then saw his point-blank effort brilliantly parried away by Gazzaniga.
Unfortunately for him and his side, Asensio ended up conceding a penalty at the other end ten minutes before FT following a controversial VAR call. Girona forward Cristhian Stuani dispatched the spot-kick clinically, sending Thibaut Courtois the wrong way and denying the big Belgian a clean sheet once more. Drama unfolded in the dying minutes, as Rodrygo’s goal was disallowed by VAR before Toni Kroos picked up a red card for a cynical foul. Failing to regain their lead, Real succumbed to a second winless match on the trot. Michel’s visiting outfit will undoubtedly be proud of their display to grab a point, even if they have now go seven games without victory.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
