BY Jonathan Ledger
Real Madrid, despite taking a first-half lead, conceded two second-half goals to suffer a 1-2 loss at home to Girona.
This latest defeat is a repeat of events in last season’s 1-2 loss to the Catalan-based club, both Cristhian Stuani and Portu- again- the goalscorers after Madrid take an early lead. Los merengues took the early lead through Casemiro in the 26th minute.
The Brazilian defensive midfielder was on hand to nod in a Toni Kroos cross. Despite having the upper hand in the first period, Solar’s men could not add to their lead going into the break.
The second half was a stark contrast to the first as Girona crept back into a game in which Real’s midfield went missing, while their defence capitulated.
Raphael Varane looked rusty and untidy all half while both wingbacks Marcelo and Alvaro Odriozola abandoned their defensive duties for Girona to stun the hosts.
The equalizer was a penalty earned after Sergio Ramos instinctively outstretched his arms to stop a potential goal on 65 minutes. Stuani, third behind Messi and Suarez on the La Liga scorers’ chart, converted the spot kick.
Nine minutes later, Portu scored the winner, sweeping home on the rebound after Stuani’s initial header was parried into his path, sending the small band of Girona fans into frenzy mode, while the rest the Santiago Bernabeu crowd turned on their players with rings of boos.
The entry of impressive youngster and crowd favourite, Vinicius Junior, who had two good opportunities, did not inspire Real Madrid, neither did the late entry of the much-maligned substitute, Gareth Bale, who was also booed for a lack of effort.
Captain Ramos, who had a second half to forget, got sent off in the 90th minute for dangerous play. The former Sevilla man, on a booking earned from giving away the penalty, attempted an overhead kick but hit a Girona player.
The referee was given no other choice but to brandish a second yellow card, earning him a red card, his 25th dismissal- a record- in football.
Goalkeeper, Thibaut Cortouis almost had the last word but his header from a corner kick in the last second of the game went just wide.
The loss, Real’s first in six league games, sees them drop to third place, two points behind neighbours, Atletico Madrid, and nine behind league leaders and arch-rival, Barcelona, who both earned 1-0 wins on Saturday.
Celta Vigo 1 – 4 Levante
Rayo Vallecano 0 – 1 Atlético Madrid
Real Sociedad 3 – 0 Leganés
Barcelona 1 – 0 Real Valladolid
Real Madrid 1 – 2 Girona
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