Girona coach Míchel was left to concede that his team simply could not compete with Real Madrid after suffering a crushing 4-0 defeat on Saturday. The result dealt a significant blow to their LaLiga title hopes, with Carlo Ancelotti describing it as a “big blow for the LaLiga title.” Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring, while Jude Bellingham scored twice before being forced off with an ankle injury. Rodrygo Goes completed the rout, leaving Madrid sitting five points clear of Girona at the top of the table.
Míchel’s post-match comments were reflective of the gulf in class between the two sides. “We tried to stand up to them, but when Madrid are at their best, we can’t get there,” he admitted. “The players gave everything, but [Madrid] were superior in the duels. The games from [Eduardo] Camavinga, Vinicius, Bellingham… We aren’t at that level.”
A Team on the Rise
Despite the heavy defeat, Míchel remained optimistic about Girona’s progress. “We’re a club that’s growing,” he said. “There are only four or five teams in the world that can fight with Real Madrid. When they play like today, it’s hard to stop them. “Valencia, [Real] Betis, that’s our league. We aren’t in Real Madrid’s league. We took points off Barcelona, but they’re not in our league, Atlético Madrid aren’t in our league. We’ll keep working with humility. I think we’re candidates to be in Europe.”
Míchel’s words highlight the reality of Girona’s position in Spanish football. While they have managed to compete with some of the top teams, including Barcelona, their defeat against Madrid magnifies the gap in quality. Nevertheless, Míchel’s ambition remains focused on European qualification, a testament to the team’s growth and development under his leadership.
Míchel’s acknowledgment of Madrid’s superiority extends to his prediction for the remainder of the season. “In a game, anything can happen, but I had the feeling today that Madrid are very strong and if they continue at that level, it will be hard for them to drop points,” he conceded. “Today, at no point did you get the feeling that we could win… Our level isn’t Real Madrid’s level. We’ve been in a dream, and we’re still in a dream.”
This sentiment echoes the sentiments of many fans, pundits, and experts. Madrid’s dominant display against Girona solidifies their status as favorites for the LaLiga title. Ancelotti himself recognized the magnitude of the victory, labeling it a “big blow for the LaLiga title.” However, he remained cautious, acknowledging that the season is far from over and the advantage they hold is still relatively small.
While Madrid celebrated their convincing win, there was a moment of concern as Jude Bellingham twisted his ankle during the match. Ancelotti expressed hope that the injury was not serious, stating, “It will be assessed tomorrow. Let’s hope he’ll be available for Tuesday… There are games Bellingham hasn’t played, and others have done well, like Brahim [Diaz]. I can’t be more worried than I was today.”
The injury to Bellingham, who has been a key contributor for Madrid this season with 16 league goals, creates uncertainty ahead of their crucial Champions League clash against RB Leipzig. Ancelotti’s confidence in his squad depth suggests that Madrid will be prepared to face Leipzig even if Bellingham is unable to feature.
Girona’s 4-0 defeat against Real Madrid highlighted the vast difference in quality between the two teams. Míchel’s post-match comments were a candid admission of Madrid’s superiority, emphasizing that Girona is still a club on the rise. While Madrid appears poised to secure the LaLiga title, the season is far from over, and injuries like Bellingham’s serve as a reminder that anything can happen in football.