Girona boss Real Madrid at Montilivi
It will go down as one of the historic days in Girona's history, up there with the day the Catalan outfit secured their place in Spain's top flight. They beat Real Madrid and were the better side for the entire match, outgunning the men from the capital in every physical and tactical aspect. Despite going behind to a 12th minute Isco goal which came about after Maffeo struck the Madrid woodwork and ended in a counter-attack which saw the visitors go one up at a packed Montilivi, Machin's men never gave up. Girona were having the better of the contest and despite the possible negative psychological aspect of going behind early-on, the side rallied as Madrid relaxed and took their foot even more off the gas.
Wembley on their mind?
Why the whitewash? Girona employed an unorthodox 3-4-2-1 formation and it appeared that Real Madrid hadn't trained all week with the side apparently content that, after the 12th minute goal, the floodgates would open. Some might say they were too focused on the midweek visit to Wembley where Zidane's men face Tottenham in a vital Champions League contest. Girona pounced in the second half with the two goals coming in quick succession as the men in red and white struck yet another post.
8 points off the pace
Now faced with an adverse scoreline, Zidane looked to respond and copied Girona's model, moving Casemiro to the centre of the park and replacing Achraf and Marcelo with Lucas Vázquez and Asensio as wing backs. Caution was thrown to the wind in search of an equaliser but in truth only Isco can hold his head high on the Madrid side as the rest of the team laboured looking for the elusive goal. The changes made little difference with Real Madrid offering limited forward punch and in truth a third goal for Girona seemed the likelier option. A massive result for the Catalan side and worrying times for Zidane who finds his side eight points behind Barça and 4 off Valencia at the top of the table.