Girona 0-3 Real Madrid: What Were The Key Talking Points As Los Blancos Claim An Immediate Response In Catalonia?

In search of an immediate boost on Saturday evening, Real Madrid put in a rampant performance as they cruised their way to a 3-0 romp against Girona.

Heading into the half-time interval with a deserved 2-0 lead as the red-hot Joselu and Aurelien Tchouameni bagged a quickfire brace midway through the first-half, Carlo Ancelotti’s side largely didn’t have to get out of second gear here.

Essentially wrapping up all three points as the remarkable Jude Bellingham bagged his sixth La Liga strike of the season on the 71st minute, Los Blancos certainly came roaring back following last weekend’s infamous 3-1 drumming at the hands of Atletico.

While Girona might have been smelling the chance to spring a famous upset here following a stunning start to the 2023/24 campaign, Michel’s men will be disappointed by a flat performance on home soil.

Although Madrid skipper Nacho might have been shown a straight red card in the dying seconds, it is hard to take away any negatives from a professional performance from the title contenders.

On an evening when Real Madrid put in a season-best performance at the Estate Montilivi, we have taken a look at the key talking points from Saturday’s showdown.

Los Blancos claim an immediate response

Hit with that infamous 3-1 drumming away at Atletico last weekend and coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, Real Madrid were more than aware that they needed an immediate response here.

Although Ancelotti’s side might have faced a stern challenge on paper against a Girona squad who were in the midst of a stunning purple patch, the former AC Milan boss saw his superstar squad lay down quite the marker on Saturday evening.

Although the Whites might have eventually fell 10 points short of defending their La Liga crown last season, it is no secret that Madrid have their sights firmly set on mounting a far more polished charge this time around.

Still suffering just a single domestic defeat since opening up the 2023/24 campaign and proving that last weekend’s 3-1 defeat was just a minor blip, their display here would have certainly been seen across Spain’s elite.

With Saturday’s rampant performance handing Los Blancos a real platform to build on, Madrid will be desperate to keep up their recent charge when they turn their attention back to Champions League duties in a few days time.

Bellingham is the new king of Madrid

While many around the Spanish capital might have been heartbroken to have seen Karim Benzema make a blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia this summer, Real Madrid certainly have a new king in Madrid.

Watching Los Blancos break the bank as they welcomed Bellingham to Bernabeu in a deal worth north of £100million, the one-time Birmingham starlet has made a remarkable start to life with the Spanish icons.

Wrapping up all three points for Ancelotti’s side midway through the second-half, Bellingham has already cemented his spot as Madrid’s new attacking talisman.

Only continuing to receive a string of praise since completing his history-making move to the former European champions, the England international has now bagged a stunning six La Liga goals from his opening eight appearances.

With Ancelotti already stating that the 20-year-old has a leading role to play across all fronts this season, Bellingham himself could have one eye on claiming Spain’s Golden Boot come next year.

Girona’s purple patch comes to an abrupt end

Gaining a string of plaudits last season as they clinched a top-half finish among Spain’s elite, some in Girona’s camp opened up the new campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge.

Continuing to shine on either side of September’s international break and opening Saturday’s showdown in Catalonia riding a real wave of momentum, Michel’s side would have been frustrated by a downbeat performance here.

While the White and Reds might have been smelling the chance to lay down a famous marker at the Estate Montilivi this weekend, Girona will now be seeking their own immediate response going forward.

However, although Saturday’s hosts might have seen their remarkable six-match La Liga winning run come to an abrupt end here, the mood in Girona’s camp should remain at a real high.

Already collecting some heavyweight scalps since opening up the new campaign last month, Michel’s men still finish this weekend’s fixtures battling it out in the top-four chase.

Match Report

Girona: Gazzaniga, Couto, Garcia, Blind, Gutierrez, Tsygankov, Herreram LOPEZ, Garcia, Savio, Dovbyk

Subs: Portu, Solis, Stuani, Torre, Valery

Real Madrid: Kepa, Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos, Ballinegham, Joselu, Vinicius Junior

Subs: Ceballos, Diaz, Lucas, Rodrygo

Goals: Joselu (17’), Tchouameni (21’), Bellingham (71’)

Yellow Cards: Girona: Garcia, Stuani – Real Madrid: Kepa, Rudiger

Red Cards: Nacho (90+4’)

Referee: Pulido Santana