Real Madrid misinterpreted their test for Munich and took another step back in LaLiga, lacking in football and character. He put his attitude at the start, found the advantage in a classic solution, Valverde’s lifelong hit, and allowed himself to tie to finish without pain or glory. He claimed a penalty, which it was, on Mbappé in the final stretch, but not even that serves as an alibi for a team that has disconnected from its people. He no longer asks for football. He asks him to add character. Girona, well planted, earned a hard-fought point with another great shot from Lemar. It is not difficult to bring out the colors in this Madrid.
Madrid came out intense, trying to gain an early advantage. The dress rehearsal for Munich included Eduardo Camavinga in the axis, helped by Bellingham, and the defensive sides for Valverde and Brahim. In attack, freedom for the BMV, key to aspiring to a very complicated comeback in the Champions League. The white team dominated against Girona, which was reminiscent of Sporting de Gijón with its retro clothing, so much so that the numbers were not visible well. Things from another time. Míchel’s team is a quality opponent, and that is why the first relevant option came after a long and well-connected play until it led to the Moroccan Ounahi. Control, touch to gain angle and hard shot, demanding for Lunin. Good hand.
It was Brahim who appeared the most on the white attack front. He offered himself, in support and space. He looked for the pass mischievously, like the one that served for Bellingham’s entry that Jude did not fully connect. Vinicius looked for his classic diagonal and Mbappé showed his explosiveness, although in one action he swung to get away from Francés and hit the defender. Alberola charged him with the foul, and the Frenchman protested so much that he received the yellow card. White’s best option in the entire first act was a run by Carvajal on the right with a service to Valverde and a good intervention by Gazzaniga. The side, used very little by Arbeloa in recent weeks, did not clash at all. Like Fran García, applied on the defensive level. And like the center backs, Militao and Asencio, the big surprise of Arbeloa’s eleven. All correct to control the opponent, but very little to uneven the score. Another white first act thrown in the trash.
Valverde’s goal (1-0) in Real Madrid 1-1 Girona
It seemed that the white team from the locker room was back in the same situation. Without changes, it was difficult for him to link plays. He found the most retro solution. A faraway shot and running. Valverde executed it, very hard. He had the collaboration of Gazzaniga, who did not use his hand or forearm. With the 1-0 lead, Madrid could and should have sentenced it. Because it generated clear options to do so. As in a wonderful service from Valverde from the right that Mbappé did not finish, unpunctual. And also because Girona made several mistakes at the start that failed to penalize the white attack. Little did he know what was about to happen.
The changes were prepared, Arda and Huijsen, because Bellingham was already stiff, and in a return the Englishman did not arrive in time to correct. Brahim came down first to help Camavinga, who had bad luck. Lemar drove along the front and created the left foot shot that passed under the Frenchman’s legs, surprising Lunin.
Lemar’s goal (1-1) in Real Madrid 1-1 Girona
The tie deflated Madrid, which for several minutes feared defeat. Girona did not have clear chances, it is true, but they had the ball and circled the area. Because Madrid was incapable of recovering it and having it. The changes took the gas out of the white team. Abel Ruiz entered Girona, who participated little in the game and suffered a muscle problem again. Vinicius and Mbappé were emboldened, and the white changes did not improve at all. If there was any League option, it was slipping away.
.
The whites are also angry with the refereeing team. Because in an action very similar to the one that cost Mbappé the foul and yellow card, Alberola decided that there was no fault in Reis’ elbow to the Frenchman, who was injured. Trujillo Suárez inhibited himself in the VAR, in homage to retro football where there was no possibility of correcting the referee. No penalty or final arreón. This Madrid lost interest in LaLiga a long time ago. Either a miracle in Munich or nothing.
