It’s 14 days until the Champions League semi-final duel between Real Madrid and Manchester City, but for Carlo Ancelotti’s players, it seems like the game is in three days. That’s the only possible explanation for another Real’s defeat in La Liga this season. The only difference is that this time, they really embarrassed themselves against an average La Lige side: Girona – Real 4-2. Coach Ancelotti was without their best scorer Karim Benzema and their octopus goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to injuries, and he also decided to rest Eduardo Camavinga, but they surely cannot be an excuse for a terrible result. Madrid’s players just didn’t show up for this game and were punished for it. On the other hand, Girona has to take the credit as the team which drew with Real at Santiago Bernabeu (1-1) and managed to draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou two weeks ago.4 – Valentín Castellanos has become the first player to score four goals in a single LaLiga game against Real Madrid in the 21st century. Galactic. pic.twitter.com/eXCtfb5tgj— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 25, 2023 Surprisingly, Girona took an early lead, and punished Real Madrid for missing great chance in the opening seconds of the match. The guests literarily started from center and Modric passed to Vinicius who took a shot on goal, but his effort went into the side netting. Real continued to press Girona but the hosts somehow managed to score from nothing. Gutierrez made a great cross and Castellanos was there, completely unmarked, to score for the lead. If that was a surprise, the second Girona goal was a sensation. Just after 24 minutes, the hosts had a two goal advantage, and it was Castellanos against, this time after a mistake from Militao. The only Real player in the mood to play football was Vinicus, and he used a fantastic Asensio cross to shrink the lead.GOAL | Girona 4-1 Real Madrid | Castellanos (POKER)pic.twitter.com/Zi8b7cOHcA— VAR Tático (@vartatico) April 25, 2023 And as everybody (probably even Girona fans) expected Real to fight back in the second half, totally opposite happened. Straight from kick-off, Cuoto’s ball came to Castellano, who scored hat-trick in the 46th minute of the game. Real’s midfielders Kroos, Modric and Valverde did nothing to change the situation in their team’s favor, so Castellano scored his fourth goal. Riquelma’s shot hit Kroos’ boot and changed direction enough for Castellanos to send home team fans into delirium. Ancelotti made some changes after that, but managed only to shrink the lead with Vazquez’s goal in the 85th minute.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 31TuesdayGirona – Real Madrid 4-2 (2-1)/Castellanos 12, 24, 46, 62 – Vinicius 34, Vazquez 85/Cadiz – Osasuna 0-1 (0-0)/Garcia 62/23.00: (2.95) Betis (3.15) Sociedad (2.70)Wednesday20.30: (1.45) Atl.Madrid (4.30) Mallorca (9.50)20.30: (2.00) Getafe (3.45) Almeria (4.30)23.00: (5.10) Rayo Vallecano (3.60) Barcelona (1.80)23.00: (1.35) Celta (4.90) Elche (9.50)Thursday20.30: (1.80) Valencia (3.50) Valladolid (4.70)20.30: (1.65) Villareal (4.00) Espanyol (6.00)23.00: (1.90) Ath.Bilbao (3.60) Sevilla (4.50)***odds are subject to change
