Madrid crashes in Catalonia
GIRONA, Spain — Real Madrid fell to a stunning 2-1 La Liga loss in the heartland of pro-independence Catalonia on Sunday as minnow Girona recorded the biggest result in the club’s history amid heightening political tensions.
Goals from Cristhian Stuani and Portu in four second-half minutes on Sunday canceled out Isco’s opener for Madrid as Real fell eight points behind La Liga leader Barcelona.
Madrid was making its first appearance in the divided region since violence marred an Oct 1 independence referendum.
“Girona FC’s victory against one of the greatest teams in the world is an example and a benchmark for many situations,” Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who was deposed by the Spanish government as president of the regional parliament on Friday, posted on Twitter.
As an estimated one million people joined a unionist rally in Barcelona on Sunday, 100 kilometers away in Girona, a city filled with separatist sentiment, the visitor was expected to get a hostile reception.
However, events on the field that proved far more troublesome for Zinedine Zidane’s side as it lost more ground on rival Barca in the Liga title race.
“We know we can turn this around. We will have better days and our rivals will lose points over the course of the season,” said Zidane.
“There is nothing more we can do, and we know that sooner or later things will turn. There is a long way to go and I am not worried.”
Chants in favor of independence reverberated around the 13,500-capacity Montilivi Stadium in the 17th minute as is common at Girona and Barcelona home matches.
However, with plenty of Madrid fans present, there were also plenty of Spanish flags on show.
“Everyone who knows Girona knew nothing would happen,” said Girona coach Pablo Machin.
“The fans were sensible. They want it (the political situation) to be over. They enjoyed two brilliant hours of football.”
In its first-ever match against the European champion, Girona looked keen to make a mark from the outset and was desperately unlucky not to go in front when Pablo Maffeo’s cross came back off the inside of the post 12 minutes in.
Seconds later, the ball was in the Girona net as Madrid broke immediately upfield and Isco tapped home the rebound after Bono parried Cristiano Ronaldo’s initial effort.
Girona continued to dominate and hit the woodwork again before halftime when Portu’s flicked header looped over Kiko Casilla and back off the inside of the post.
Real was hit with an injury blow days before it travels to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Wednesday as Raphael Varane was replaced by Nacho at half- time due to a muscular problem.
The France international’s presence at the heart of the Madrid defense was badly missed as Stuani evaded Nacho long enough to tie the score for Girona nine minutes into the second half.
Just four minutes later, Girona was in dreamland as Maffeo’s driven cross was flicked home by Portu and the goal was allowed to stand despite the striker appearing to be offside.
“We aren’t popping the cava. We’re mature and we knew we had a chance to beat a great side,” said Machin.
“Before kickoff it seemed improbable, but we grew throughout the game, the players believed and we did it. We want to continue to be in this league for many more years to come.”
Rather than mount a late comeback as it did so often en route to a first La Liga and Champions League double in 59 years last season, Madrid looked short of energy and ideas in the final half-hour as Girona held out.
“We can’t make excuses,” Madrid midfielder Casemiro told BeIN Sports Spain.
“We have to keep our heads because it is a difficult moment. We still have a chance but we need to play better and work harder. Madrid is always obliged to win.”