Real Madrid loses the LaLiga lead after a draw against Girona

Real Madrid stumbled again in LaLiga. This time, the 1-1 draw against Girona at Montilivi cost them the lead, which is now in Barcelona's hands. Azzedine Ounahi's goal, coupled with a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappe, resulted in a tense match marked by Real Madrid's lack of attacking clarity. This marked their third consecutive draw after matches against Rayo Vallecano and Elche. The advantage they had gained after their victory in El Clasico was completely erased. Away from the Santiago Bernabeu, Xabi Alonso's team once again looked vulnerable and struggled to impose their style of play. With just one point separating them from Barca and with Villarreal and Atletico lurking, the league has become tighter than expected at this stage of the season. A Madrid lacking decisiveness and an effective Girona. Xabi Alonso made several changes from the Europa League match against Olympiacos: Thibaut Courtois returned in goal, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger returned to defense, Fran Garcia occupied the full-back position, and Jude Bellingham returned to the starting eleven. However, none of this gave the Whites the fluidity they were looking for. Girona, despite their own problems—the team remains in the relegation zone—knew how to exploit every tiny opening. Madrid created little in the first half. A header from Militao that Paulo Gazzaniga saved superbly and a goal by Mbappe disallowed for handball were their only signs of real danger. Girona, on the other hand, found the right moment: on the stroke of halftime, Ounahi capitalized on an uncontested play and left Madrid exposed. Courtois kept the team in the game at the start of the second half, especially with a key save against Vladyslav Vanat. Moments later, a spark from Vinicius ended in a penalty. Mbappe converted it and brought Madrid back into the game, although that boost wasn't enough to complete the comeback. The final siege was intense, but lacked precision, and Girona's defense withstood everything. Reactions and looks to the future. After the match, Xabi Alonso acknowledged his frustration at having relinquished the lead,But he urged calm: “This is a long road,” he noted. The coach highlighted the squad's attitude: “I really liked the reaction after halftime. We had three or four chances inside the box to win.” Alonso also emphasized what was lacking: “We needed more minutes of good football, attacking football, to be dominant,” although he praised the improvement in the second half: “The second half was much better.” The coach pointed out that Wednesday's match against Athletic Club will be crucial: “It's an opportunity to win away from home again, and we need it.” Controversy was also present. Regarding the possible foul on Rodrygo Goes in the final minutes, Alonso expressed surprise: “These are decisive plays that can determine the outcome of the match.”