Real Madrid vs Girona preview: how to watch on TV, stream online in US/UK and around the world

There was a bit of a shock for the reigning Spanish and European champions, Real Madrid, in their midweek Champions League action. They lost.

For much of the game against RB Leipzig, Carlo Ancelotti’s men looked second best and, despite still being a) guaranteed a place in the round of 16 and b) almost certainly qualifying as top dogs in the group, will be more than keen to get back to winning ways against Girona in front of their adoring home fans at the Santiago Bernabéu. By the time Los Blancos kick off, domestic rivals Barcelona may have pulled level with them at the top of LaLiga, assuming they beat Valencia on Saturday evening.

You can follow the match between Real Madrid - Girona here

The matchday 12 fixture at the Bernabéu kicks off at 4:15pm Spanish time on Sunday, 30 October 2022 (11:15am ET, 8:15am PT). Remember that the clocks go back ahead of this game in Europe! Take a look at what time the game kicks off wherever you are in the world.

Where can I watch Real Madrid vs Girona in the US and UK?

The following channels and online streaming services will be showing Real Madrid vs Girona:

Follow Real Madrid vs Girona live wherever you are

You will be able to follow all the action from Real Madrid vs Girona here on AS USA, where we’ll have minute-by-minute coverage. We’ll be building up to the game from an hour before kick-off, with team news and analysis. If your phone is connected, you’ll be able to keep up with how things are going.

Real Madrid vs Girona: how they shape up

Real Madrid’s 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday was their first loss in 170 days. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois accused his teammates of coming out “asleep, without intensity or aggression.” Manager Carlo Ancelotti was more philosophical, stating that the defeat didn’t hurt them much, as per the situation highlighted in the opening paragraphs above.

The Italian was able to rest players in that game, and some of those rested may return against Girona as they look to keep their unbeaten start to the LaLiga season (W10, D1). Los Blancos can’t afford to take anything for granted after losing the last home against this opponent 2-1 in February 2019. Confidence will be high though.

For their part, Girona are fighting hard to avoid relegation after being promoted last season. They’re starting to pick up more positive results, with two recent draws keeping them in touch with their fellow bottom half sides. However, their poor record against teams in the top half of the standings (D1, L4) suggests that they will have a long afternoon.

The White and Reds have struggled on the road in the league this season, losing four and drawing one, but with all four defeats coming by just a single goal, they may consider themselves unlucky not to have picked up a few more points. That also implies that they will make Madrid work hard for everything. It’s a big ask.

Real Madrid vs Girona: recent form

Los Blancos come into this on the back of four successive league wins, including Barcelona and Sevilla in that run. Girona, at the opposite end of the table have two draws mixed with three losses in recent weeks.

You could say this was a free hit for the visitors, with expectations of a shock win as low as they could be.

Real Madrid vs Girona: predicted line-ups

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius.

Girona XI: Gazzaniga; Couto, Lopez, Bueno, Hernandez; Herrera, Garcia, Romeu, Villa; Vallejo; Stuani.

Who is the referee for Real Madrid vs Girona?

The man with the whistle for this game is Mario Melero Lopez. The 43-year old from Málaga will be supported in the VAR room by Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva.