Girona’s improved form a threat as Madrid look to maintain slim La Liga lead | OneFootball

Real Madrid enter Sunday’s match against Girona with renewed energy after their dramatic Champions League win restored momentum and ended a frustrating run of draws in La Liga.

Their midweek victory in Athens arrived at a crucial moment, as Barcelona’s strong domestic surge has cut the gap at the top to a single point and placed immediate pressure on Madrid to respond.

That margin is slim enough to sharpen the sense of urgency and Xabi Alonso’s side know that any lapse now could hand their rivals control of a title race that is tightening earlier than expected.

Madrid’s league form has stuttered with back-to-back stalemates against Rayo Vallecano and Elche, but the midweek performance offered signs of attacking fluency and individual brilliance returning.

Kylian Mbappe’s four-goal display reminded La Liga of his impact while also masking the defensive vulnerabilities that have accompanied Madrid’s disrupted back line in recent weeks.

The French forward has carried much of the attacking load this season, and his form will again be central as Madrid begin a demanding stretch before the winter break.

Girona host the leaders with confidence creeping back into their game after a difficult start that left them hovering in the relegation zone.

Two positive results against Alaves and Real Betis have steadied Michel’s team and suggested that the defensive frailties that plagued their opening third of the season may finally be easing.

Their position in 18th does not reflect the improvement of the last two weeks, and Girona tend to raise their level at home, where they have taken memorable scalps against Madrid in the past.

The Catalan side have beaten Madrid twice on their own ground, including a 4-2 victory in April 2023, and those results ensure Alonso’s squad will not underestimate them.

Girona will again rely on compact defending, quick transitions, and the hostile Montilivi atmosphere to disrupt Madrid’s rhythm, even though they have the league’s worst goals-against record.

Madrid’s challenge will be to combine the attacking sharpness shown in Europe with the control that has been missing in recent domestic matches.

Anything less than a win risks allowing Barcelona to climb above them again, and that reality adds further weight to a fixture Madrid cannot afford to approach passively.

A victory keeps Madrid ahead in a pursuit that is becoming more intense every week, while Girona’s resurgence ensures they will be pushed all the way at Montilivi.