Author: Amrit Santlani
Real Madrid returned to the top of the La Liga table by beating Girona 3-0 at the Montilivi on Saturday. Girona were top of the table after seven games, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men proved too good for them by beating Michel’s side.
Jude Bellingham scored his sixth goal in seven games and provided his second assist for Joselu’s goal, while Aurelin Tchouameni also got on the scoresheet. Nacho was sent off at the end of the match, Madrid’s only miss, and the veteran will sit out the next home match against Osasuna, just before the international break.
Ancelotti decided to put Brazilian full-back Rodrygo on the bench, while his compatriot Vinicius started alongside Joselu. The hosts should have been 1-0 up two minutes after the restart, but Yangel Herrera headed over the goal as Madrid survived.
Viktor Tsyhankov wasted another glorious opportunity when he hit the post with a shot from six meters. Girona failed to punish Real Madrid and could only blame themselves when Joselu opened the scoring with a fierce shot, burying Bellingham’s assist. Paulo Gazzaniga managed to get a touch on the ball, but couldn’t prevent the goal.
Just four minutes later, the visitors were two goals ahead: Girona completed a corner, Tchouameni was left alone in the box and the Frenchman headed in with ease to make it 2-0. Gazzaniga denied Bellingham the goal, making a smart one-on-one save after Vinicius had put a great shot past the Englishman.
The Brazilian then released Toni Kroos and the German’s volley was again saved by Gazzaniga. After the restart, Kepa Arrizabalaga saved a header from David López, but Madrid made it 3-0 when Bellingham finished perfectly for Gazzaniga, after the Girona goalkeeper had saved Joselu’s fierce shot.
Rodrigo came close to scoring, but his shot was off target and, in the 94th minute, Nacho made a harsh tackle and was shown a straight red card.
Brazilian defender Yan Couto had a quiet night as he completed the entire game, while his countryman Sávio struggled to influence the match and was substituted in the 79th minute. Rodrygo had a quiet performance after replacing Vinicius, who was once again one of the protagonists.