Daijiworld Media Network - Girona
Girona, Dec 1: Real Madrid were held to a third straight La Liga draw after a hard-fought 1-1 result against Girona on Sunday, allowing Barcelona to stay on top of the table.
Azzedine Ounahi put Girona ahead with a sharp strike just before half-time, while Kylian Mbappe levelled the score from the penalty spot in the second half. Despite late pressure, Madrid failed to find a winner, increasing scrutiny on coach Xabi Alonso amid murmurs over his future.
Barcelona’s win over Alaves on Saturday gave them the lead, and Madrid needed full points to reclaim the top spot. They now remain second, one point adrift of their arch-rivals.
Alonso said he was encouraged by the team’s response but admitted it was not enough. “We are up there, it’s all very even… I liked the reaction from the players. It was not enough to turn it around but we were close,” he said. “We have to continue with unity, being self-critical, and wanting to win away from home.”
Madrid face another tough test next as they travel to Bilbao on Wednesday — their fourth straight away league game, rescheduled due to their Spanish Super Cup commitments. “It would be a good moment to win in Bilbao,” Alonso added.
Madrid welcomed back defenders Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger from injury, while Vinicius Junior joined Mbappe up front. Mbappe, fresh from scoring four in the Champions League midweek, saw an early effort ruled out for handball.
Girona took full advantage soon after, with Ounahi smashing home from the edge of the box. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois later denied Vladyslav Vanat with a superb save to prevent a second.
Real pushed forward and finally equalised when Vinicius was fouled in the box, allowing Mbappe to convert his 14th league goal of the season. The visitors came close several times late on, but Girona held firm.
“We had more chances… thinking calmly, a point against an opponent like this is good,” Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga said, though he admitted the team was “annoyed” not to take all three.