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Blow for Madrid’s title hopes as Girona inflict shock defeat
MADRID, Feb 17, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Real Madrid threw away their lead and
perhaps their hopes of catching Barcelona as Girona came from behind to pull
off a shock 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Girona had not won in 13 matches and looked on course for a seventh
straight defeat when Casemiro headed a dominant Madrid ahead in the first
half.
But complacency set in, and Girona took full advantage as Cristhian Stuani
scored a penalty and Portu nodded in at the back post, leaving the European
champions scrapping even for a point before Sergio Ramos was sent off in the
90th minute.
They failed even to muster that, with defeat here a major act of self-harm
for what was beginning to look like a serious resurgence in La Liga’s title
race.
Barcelona had beaten Real Valladolid by a single goal on Saturday but
their stodgy display continued a period of uncertainty for the Catalans, who
still have to go to the Bernabeu later this month.
That Clasico will be a lot less nervy now, given Barca’s cushion has been
extended to nine points over Real, with Atletico jumping back above them into
second, seven points off the top.
The frustration for coach Santiago Solari will be that his team had this
game in the palm of their hands, in control against a Girona side that
celebrated at the end as if they had secured survival.
Their first league victory since November pushes them four points clear of
the bottom three.
Solari will take some of the blame after he fielded a rotated line-up
following the Champions League win over Ajax in midweek, their seventh win in
eight games.
Gareth Bale and Vinicius Junior both started on the bench, while Luka
Modric was suspended.
Madrid barely broke sweat in the first half, in control but playing within
themselves as long spells of possession were only occasionally turned into a
clear-cut chance.
The best move was marked by two scoops, the first by Toni Kroos, who
lifted the ball over Pere Pons and squared for Lucas Vazquez, who repeated
the trick, dinking it between two defenders, only for his finish to be saved
by Bono.
Girona threatened in flashes. Stuani drew a decent stop from Thibaut
Courtois and Alex Granell’s drive whistled past the post.
But Madrid never looked troubled and it was no surprise when Casemiro
nodded in Kroos’ cross after Bono elected to punch rather than catch the
initial ball in.
– Comfortable to complacent –
Eusebio brought on both Aleix Garcia and Anthony Lozano at half-time, and
the impact was almost instant, as Garcia blazed over the rebound after
Lozano’s header.
Madrid slipped from comfortable to complacent and shortly after the hour
they were punished. Stuani’s header spilled out to Douglas Luiz, whose finish
was blocked by the hand of Ramos.
Ramos’ yellow card might have been red, the defender perhaps only spared
by two white shirts behind him on the line. Stuani made no mistake with the
penalty.
Girona almost scored again, Portu’s shot rattling the outside of the post,
and then they did. Casemiro missed a tackle in midfield and Lozano’s shot was
parried to Portu. Marcelo dangled a leg but failed to stop the header, which
crept inside the post.
Vinicius and Bale both came on but Vinicius three times missed the target
from good positions, while Bale was whistled at one point after losing
possession.
Casemiro wanted a penalty when he felt Pedro Alcala’s hand on his shoulder
and moments later Ramos was sent off, drawing a second yellow card for
attempting to volley and instead catching Alcala in the face.
Even Courtois was allowed up for a late corner and he got his head on it
too but the ball flashed wide. The surprised applause quickly turned to
groans at the full-time whistle.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1940HRS