Real Madrid reacted to the victories of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday by defeating Girona 2-0 in the Spanish capital.
Madrid started the day on the third and without a La Liga victory in three games. They had not gave four games in this competition since 2018, and the defending champions returned to the win on Sunday.
Luka Modric and Vincius Junior were on the scoresheet for the hosts when they were brought back to the second and points with the league leaders Barcelona.
How the game unfolds
The victories for the title rival Barcelona and Atletico Madrid press a certain pressure on Carlo Ancelotti’s team, which occurred on Sunday against Manchester City on Sundays before the back of a comprehensive victory over Manchester City.
The Italian turned handy from the 3-1 win on Wednesday and finally offered Federico Valverde a break by dropping the Uruguayan onto the bench. Brahim Diaz came in for the suspended Jude Bellingham.
Thibaut Courtois was the first goalkeeper to be tested when he kept away an Ivan Martin Cross at the vicinity of an post, but the opposite number of the Belgian, Paulo Gazzaniga, soon let his palms stab by a Kylian Mbappe toe.
Madrid’s early success came in the transition, although Vinicius Junior was unable to use some excellent positions. The hosts snapped and grabbed when Girona settled in a block; Exchange many, but rarely go into the backline of the visitors. Gazzaniga enjoyed a quiet afternoon before Courtois Donny van de Beek and Viktor Tsygankov fought from the region.
In a calm Bernabeu, references to unrest manifested, but the veteran Luka Modric loosened the fear of a frustrating afternoon by struck the opening goal from a distance shortly before half -time.
The goal of the Croatian made Madrid possible at the beginning of the second half, with the pace of the competition. However, the hosts were able to change the gears immediately, and Vinicius began to come to the fore. The Brazilian hit the crossbar with an evil effort from a distance.
While Madrid threatened to go into the final phase in balance with the competition, Girona worried the hosts, even though they enjoyed more off the ball. However, Vinicius Jr. made sure that on Sunday afternoon there was no nervous finish in the Spanish capital when he climbed his first goal from La Liga from 2025 from Mbappes Clever through ball.
Madrid’s second sealed the competition and they spurned a few late chances to strengthen their goal difference. Eduardo Camavavinga could not reach the goal after breaking through, while the impressive Mbappe had a good effort that Gazzaniga had saved well, which certainly did not cover himself in fame for Vini’s destination.
While Real Madrid stuttered in the first half of the season, especially in the phase of the Champions League League, much of their lack of attack weight and problems was made without possession.
Another main problem that slipped somewhat below the radar after the arrival of Kylian Mbappe was the lack of midfield control according to Toni Kroos’ retirement.
There was no well-known arrival of the midfield, so that Ancelotti has been turned to Dani Cemballos in the past few weeks and continued to rely on 39-year-old Modric. The veteran attracted the armband and worked together in the middle of the Park Aurelien Tchouameni and produced a vintage display.
This performance was not just about his breathtaking goal, which reminded something of his thundering strike in Bolton in Tottenham Hotspur during his last season. His goal made Madrid possible to drive from the back of a draining champions League tuning in the second half, and Modric’s serenity in possession was the key to the lightness with which the hosts operated. Very few passes were misleading and he delivered a few adorable game switch.
Modric’s control on Sunday has escaped this Madrid team for a large part of 2024/25, with his exhibition further proving that he plays a major role for Ancelotti’s team on the track.
There was no way that Vinicius JR ended this game without returning to a scoresheet from La Liga. The Brazilian, from his supposed balloon d’Or Snub, entered six years without a goal on Sunday. His last strike in the Spanish top flight arrived in November.
Mbappe has come to the fore for Madrid in the past few weeks, and the couple worked in the immediate vicinity against Girona, with the French played a role that played what we have seen in recent years. While Mbappe’s role was noticeably liquid, Vinicius jr mainly worked from the left.
In the last third there was an initial fear of the typical emphatic striker, but Madrid’s game breaker produced a much more well -known representation in the second half. There were unstoppable Jinks and shots from hopeful distances, one of which would have hit the crossbar.
It looked as if Vinicius Jr. ended up another goalless excursion, but an adorable pass from the developing Mbappe (combined with some questions that Gazzaniga goalkeeper have in combination), the Brazilian made it possible to effortlessly break his duck .
One point separates the top three from La Liga with 13 remaining games and we are looking for an exciting end of the season.
The games are piling up for all hopes. Barcelona, Madrid and Atleti are all on the Copa del Rey semi-final and in the co-steps of the Champions League-a delicious Madrid derby in the last 16 of the latter competitions, which everyone can look forward to.
After a frustrating end of 2024, Barca reappeared under Hansi-Flick, while Atleti is allergic to a tasting defeat. They take out points on the big opportunity and could have the advantage if everything is said and done.
However, there is a herral air over this Madrid team. Mbappe’s fire and Vinicius JR’s destination on Sunday could trigger a run. They are not perfect, but Ancelotti’s greeting his older defenders and there are signs that a midfield balance is set up. This is usually when you come to yourself, but your title competitors will not fall off the ground.
Take a look at the player reviews of Real Madrid 2-0 Girona here.