Three weeks, two competitions, several setbacks: for Real Madrid, the signs are becoming more and more clear that the season is getting out of control. Against Girona as well, Álvaro Arbeloa’s team failed to go beyond a 1:1 draw on matchday 31 of the league. The result is emblematic of their current form, which is marked by dominant phases without efficiency, individual mistakes, and defensive instability.
Just three days after the defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the next match was already on the schedule at the Bernabéu. The 1:1 against Girona, despite LaLiga’s nostalgic staging, felt above all like a reflection of the present. With the draw, the gap to league leaders FC Barcelona grows to six points, and in the worst case it could already be nine after this matchday. It has been a long time since Real Madrid were this far away from the league title.
The seven changes in the starting lineup compared to the match against Bayern Munich also point to a team currently oscillating between load management and searching for form.
Once again, a familiar picture emerged: Madrid controlled large parts of the game, had more possession, and looked to push forward early. The attack showed its potential, not least through players like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior. But the necessary sharpness in front of goal was missing again, which is why despite clear advantages it remained goalless at halftime.
That they still took the lead fit the pattern of recent weeks. Once again it was Federico Valverde who scored after the break. His shot was not exactly clean, but it was effective. These are often the kinds of moments currently keeping Madrid in the game.
The defensive problems, however, remain obvious. Not a single one of the last seven league matches has been completed by Los Blancos without conceding. The weaknesses in defence were also visible in the match against the red-and-whites. Although Madrid clearly held the initiative, Girona quickly reached the opponent’s goal whenever they managed to break through the midfield.
One single successful action was enough for the visitors to turn the match. Thomas Lemar took advantage of a moment of disorder, beat Eduardo Camavinga, and finished with a powerful strike past Andrij Lunin.
After that, Madrid lost control, became increasingly frantic, and were thrown off rhythm by a more confident opponent. It is a pattern that has repeated itself in recent weeks. The match against Girona therefore stands as a symbol of a team that too rarely converts its dominance into results and is currently creating its own problems time and again.
There is little time left to correct things: while the gap in the league is growing, the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League against Bayern Munich will decide whether Real Madrid can still give direction to this season.