Real Madrid returned to winning ways in La Liga with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Girona on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior ensured Los Blancos moved back to second place, level on points with league leaders Barcelona.
How the Game Unfolded
- Madrid entered the match under pressure, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid winning the previous day.
- Carlo Ancelotti rotated his squad, resting Federico Valverde, while Brahim Diaz replaced the suspended Jude Bellingham.
- Girona started well, with Thibaut Courtois forced into an early save, but Madrid soon took control.
- Despite enjoying possession, Madrid struggled to break through Girona’s defensive setup.
- Luka Modric finally broke the deadlock before half-time, smashing in a stunning strike from distance.
- The second half saw a more composed Madrid, with Vinicius Jr hitting the crossbar before finally scoring in the 85th minute, finishing off a clever pass from Kylian Mbappe.
With the win, Madrid avoided going four games without a league victory, something they hadn’t experienced since 2018.
Three Key Talking Points
1. Timeless Luka Modric
- At 39 years old, Luka Modric continues to be a key player for Real Madrid.
- His goal was reminiscent of his famous long-range strike for Tottenham against Bolton.
- Beyond his goal, Modric dictated the tempo, completing precise passes and ensuring Madrid controlled the midfield.
- With Toni Kroos retired, Madrid have struggled for midfield control, but Modric proved he still has a vital role to play.
2. Vinicius Junior Ends His Goal Drought
- Vinicius Jr had not scored in La Liga since November, and his goal drought ended at six matches.
- Playing alongside Mbappe, Vinicius looked sharper in the second half, attempting several dangerous shots before finally scoring.
- Mbappe’s evolving playmaking role helped create the goal, though goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga’s positioning was questionable.
3. Thrilling Title Race Ahead
- Only one point separates the top three teams in La Liga with 13 matches remaining.
- Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid are all fighting for the title while competing in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
- Madrid’s squad is slowly returning to full strength, with Mbappe in top form and defensive reinforcements coming back.
- While Madrid are not perfect, their big-game mentality could prove decisive in the final stretch of the season.
Player Ratings
Real Madrid (4-4-2)
| Position | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Thibaut Courtois | 6.5/10 |
| RB | Lucas Vazquez | 7.4/10 |
| CB | Raul Asencio | 6.7/10 |
| CB | David Alaba | 6.7/10 |
| LB | Ferland Mendy | 7.3/10 |
| RM | Brahim Diaz | 7.0/10 |
| CM | Luka Modric (C) | 9.0/10 |
| CM | Aurelien Tchouameni | 7.6/10 |
| LM | Rodrygo | 7.4/10 |
| ST | Vinicius Junior | 8.3/10 |
| ST | Kylian Mbappe | 8.2/10 |
Substitutes:
| Player | Minute | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eduardo Camavinga | 73′ (for Alaba) | 6.7/10 |
| Dani Ceballos | 73′ (for Brahim) | 6.2/10 |
| Antonio Rudiger | 85′ (for Modric) | 6.1/10 |
| Endrick | 90′ (for Vinicius) | N/A |
Unused Subs: Lunin (GK), Fran Gonzalez (GK), Valverde, Fran Garcia, Vallejo, Arda Guler.
Girona (4-2-3-1)
| Position | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Paulo Gazzaniga | 5.6/10 |
| RB | Arnau Martinez (C) | 6.9/10 |
| CB | David Lopez | 6.6/10 |
| CB | Ladislav Krejci | 6.4/10 |
| LB | Daley Blind | 6.1/10 |
| CM | Oriol Romeu | 6.4/10 |
| CM | Ivan Martin | 6.7/10 |
| RW | Viktor Tsygankov | 6.5/10 |
| AM | Donny van de Beek | 7.1/10 |
| LW | Miguel Gutierrez | 6.1/10 |
| ST | Arnaut Danjuma | 6.5/10 |
Substitutes:
| Player | Minute | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Melo | 56′ (for Van de Beek) | 6.3/10 |
| Jhon Solis | 66′ (for Romeu) | 6.0/10 |
| Bryan Gil | 66′ (for Martin) | 6.6/10 |
| Yaser Asprilla | 66′ (for Danjuma) | 6.5/10 |
| Bojan Miovski | 75′ (for Gutierrez) | 5.9/10 |
Unused Subs: Juan Carlos (GK), Frances, Juanpe, Portu, Abel Ruiz, Stuani, Misehouy.
Player of the Match: Luka Modric (Real Madrid) 🏆
Modric rolled back the years with a vintage performance, dictating the tempo of the game and scoring a stunning goal.
His experience and leadership allowed Madrid to control the match, proving he still has a big role to play this season.
Final Thoughts
- Real Madrid remain firmly in the title race, with only goal difference keeping them behind Barcelona.
- Modric’s leadership, Vinicius’ resurgence, and Mbappe’s playmaking ability are signs of a growing Madrid resurgence.
- With Champions League and Copa del Rey fixtures looming, Madrid will need to keep this momentum going to reclaim La Liga glory.
