Real Madrid‘s Liga Title Hopes Dim After Draw with Girona
Girona – real Madrid’s pursuit of the Liga title suffered a setback Saturday, as the team drew 1-1 with Girona, requiring a penalty goal from Kylian Mbappé (67th minute) to salvage a point. The result allows FC Barcelona to take the lead in the Liga standings, reversing their position after losing to Real Madrid in El Clásico. Villarreal trails Real Madrid by only one point, and Atlético Madrid by two.
The draw marks a concerning trend for Real Madrid, who have only won one of their last five matches and have been held to three draws in La Liga against teams considered less formidable on paper: Rayo Vallecano, Elche, and now Girona. This poor form raises questions about the team’s consistency and ability to compete for the championship as the season progresses.
Despite a strong individual performance from Vinicius Jr.,Real Madrid struggled to break down Girona’s defense,the worst in the Spanish championship. The team relied heavily on crosses and long-range shots, failing to effectively utilize the space in the opponent’s penalty area. Defensively, while Éder Militão and the returning Antonio Rüdiger performed well, the team remained vulnerable to quick transitions.
Following the match, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso defended his players, stating, “We were able to get back on track. The team wanted to come back from this 1-0. We had 3 or 4 situations to score the second and win. […] I have no reproach for the players, there was a reaction. We must continue to be united, we must know how to be self-critical and have the desire to win on the outside. This wednesday we will have the prospect to do it in Bilbao.” The team will next face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, a crucial match that could further define their season.
