Real Madrid La Liga title hopes suffer small blow as dem held 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Girona for Estadi Municipal de Montilivi on Sunday night.
Los Blancos know say only win go put dem back for top, but dem frustrate for first 45 minutes, produce nine shots but only one hit target.
Before half-time, dem think dem don score, but Kylian Mbappe goal rule out for handball, and Girona take lead through Azzedine Ounahi powerful strike.
Real no give up, and even though another goal disallowed for offside, dem find equaliser when Mbappe convert penalty after Vinicius Junior fouled by Hugo Rincon Lumbreras.
Despite equaliser, visitors struggle to create clear chances and drop two important points.
TPB Verdict
Girona be underdogs this weekend, but dem show say dem no fit underestimate as dem don lose only one of last six games for all competitions. Draw no lift dem out of bottom three, but dem level on 12 points with 17th-placed Osasuna and continue positive momentum.
Real need win to go top of La Liga, but stalemate give rivals Barcelona chance, wey now one point ahead. Alonso dey under pressure from Spanish media after rumours of falling out with key stars like Vinicius, and another disappointment go add fuel to fire as Los Blancos don win only one of last five matches.
Girona vs. Real Madrid Highlights
- 40th min: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) disallowed goal
Federico Valverde pick Mbappe inside box, Mbappe finish for bottom-left corner. VAR check am, goal disallowed for handball by Frenchman. - Azzedine Ounahi goal vs. Real Madrid (45th min, Girona 1-0 Real Madrid)
Girona move down right flank, after pass infield, Viktor Tsygankov touch pass to Ounahi, Ounahi bury powerful first-time strike top-right corner from inside box. - 61st min: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) disallowed goal
Mbappe dribble enter area, pass to Vinicius, Brazilian think say dem equalise but linesman flag deny am.
- Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Girona (67th min, Girona 1-1 Real Madrid)
Rincon foul Vinicius, referee point to penalty! Mbappe step up, calm finish penalty bottom-left corner, Paulo Gazzaniga no chance.
Man of the Match – Arnau Martinez
Girona captain no keep clean sheet, but him defensive work from centre-back help hold one of world football strongest attacks for most part of game. 22-year-old Martinez win most duels (7) and key to Girona earn deserved point.
Girona vs. Real Madrid Match Stats
- Possession: Girona 40%-60% Real Madrid
- Shots: Girona 10-25 Real Madrid
- Shots on Target: Girona 4-4 Real Madrid
- Corners: Girona 2-5 Real Madrid
- Fouls: Girona 9-13 Real Madrid
Best Stats & Next Fixtures
Girona go travel play Ourense for Copa del Rey on Wednesday, while Real Madrid go face Athletic Bilbao for another key La Liga clash the same day.
