Real suffer shock defeat to Girona in Catalonia
Home side struck the woodwork twice before the break
GIRONA: La Liga champions Real Madrid suffered a shock 2-1 defeat in their first ever league visit to Catalan side Girona yesterday, conceding two goals in quick succession and falling eight points behind leaders Barcelona. Spain midfielder Isco tapped in a rebounded shot from Cristiano Ronaldo to open the scoring in the 12th minute in Real Madrid’s first visit to Catalonia this season amid the worst political crisis in Spain’s 39 years of democracy. The home side struck the woodwork twice before the break but rallied in the second half and Uruguay international Christian Stuani fired them level in the 54th minute. Forward Portu then turned in the winning goal four minutes later to the delight of the 13,500 fans crammed into the Montilivi stadium.
Stuani came within inches of scoring again midway through the second half but a one-goal advantage was enough to give Girona their third win in their first campaign in the top flight and inflict a second league defeat on Zinedine Zidane’s side.
Real are third in the standings on 20 points, four behind secondplaced Valencia while unbeaten leaders Barca have 28. Although Real Madrid have many supporters in Catalonia, they are viewed as the club that most representative of Spain and the arrival of the team bus at Montilivi was greeted with a smattering of boos and pro-Catalan independence flags. The political heat intensified two days before their visit when the region’s ruling party declared independence from Spain and the central government responded by dissolving the Catalan parliament.
Deposed president Carles Puigdemont is from Girona province but did not make an appearance, despite reports he would be in the presidential box as he was for the game with Barcelona in September. Despite the political undertones, the atmosphere was no more intimidating for Madrid than any other Liga ground and they were cheered on by hundreds of supporters who mixed with the home fans without any trouble. Pablo Maffeo, the Manchester City loanee who gained fame for his man-marking job on Lionel Messi, provided the first flash point of the game when his searching cross from the right wing pinged off the far post. The ball remained in play and Madrid surged up the other end where Ronaldo fired at Girona goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and Isco was ideally placed to tap in the rebound. Girona’s fighting spirit could not be crushed, however, and they staged an incredible turnaround to record arguably the most significant win in their 87-year history.
Real third in the standings on 20 points