5 talking points as Real Madrid lose 2-1 to Girona in Catalonia Daily Mirror

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Girona 2-1 Real Madrid: Cristhian Stuani and Portu net as champions stunned in Catalonia - 5 talking points

Isco opened the scoring for Madrid, but Stuani and Portu's quick-fire goals after the break condemned Zidane's men to defeat

James Tighe

17:06, 29 OCT 2017UPDATED17:22, 29 OCT 2017

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Real Madrid travelled to Catalonia fearing a backlash in the stands, but they didn't expect to be embarrassed on the pitch.

In their first ever meeting with the European champions, Girona emerged deserving winners from a dominant display that will have been cheered all across Catalonia from Montlivi to just over 100 kilometres away at the Camp Nou.

Madrid now trail Barcelona by eight points in a title race that may be done the same day the clocks went back.

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Despite a slow start, Real should have settled when Isco fired them in front on 12 minutes as he took advantage on the rebound after Bono had parried Cristiano Ronaldo's initial effort.



Stuani celebrates his equaliser (Image: REUTERS)



Ronaldo hits the deck (Image: REUTERS)

Yet, Girona weren't disheartened by hitting the woodwork twice in the first-half and turned the game around in four famous minutes after the break.

Cristhian Stuani's quick feet and calm finish levelled.

Portu then flicked home to the delight of the 13,500 crowd, although Madrid will complain about the lack of an offside flag.

1. Hardly welcome to hell



A Girona fan holds a pro-independence Catalan flag (Image: AFP)

Madrid's first trip to Catalonia and, moreover, to a pro-independence heartland in Girona, since the political chaos in the deeply divided region kicked off on October 1 was hyped up for days, particularly among sections of the Madrid press keen to stir the pot.

In the end, though, their reception was exactly what Madrid tend to get on all of their travels in La Liga - a few boos mixed with plenty of white shirts emblazoned with 'Ronaldo 7' all around the ground.

There were customary chants in favour of independence, but in the context of a politically explosive week, this was hardly the "welcome to hell" treatment.

Indeed, Madrid's problems were off their own making on the field.

2. Nothing for Spurs to fear



Ronaldo drew another blank (Image: REUTERS)

Zinedine Zidane left no one in any doubt of his priority from the moment the teamsheets were released as he picked his strongest available XI bearing in mind Keylor Navas, Dani Carvajal and Gareth Bale's absence through injury and illness.

Barcelona's best ever La Liga start of 28 points from a possible 30 had left Madrid with no margin for error in their chase.

Yet, Madrid stumbled for the fourth time in just 10 league games this season to leave themselves a mountain eight-point deficit to climb.

On this form Spurs have little to fear on Wednesday.

Yet, Europe should beware that Real provoked similar doubts through the first half of the last two seasons and still ended the campaign by winning the Champions League

3. Isco adds goals



Isco celebrates his winner (Image: REUTERS)

Isco always had outrageous skills but his rise in the past year has been allied to adding a far more regular end product.

His opener wasn't a classic Isco wonder strike either, but a true poacher's finish as he followed in from Ronaldo's initial effort.



Ramos shows his appreciation after Isco netted the opener (Image: AFP)

That was already the playmaker's eighth goal for club and country this season and he is already bearing down on his best ever return of 13 from last season.

4. Maffeo a modest priced City full-back



Girona stunned the champions (Image: REUTERS)

Whilst Man City splashed close to £150 million on full-backs this summer, they let a gem of their own head remain in Spain for free.

Pablo Maffeo is now in his third loan spell at Girona, but is still only 20 and looks to have all the talent needed to at least be Kyle Walker's understudy at right-back in the coming years.

Maffeo was handed the unenviable task of man-marking Lionel Messi when Barcelona visited last month, but back in his natural role he thundered into challenges and saw a cross-come-shot rebound back off the post.

He also played his part with the driven cross from which Portu flicked home the winner.

Based off what he has shown in his first three months in La Liga and what Danilo did for two years at Madrid, you have to wonder why City splashed out for the Brazilian at all?

5. Varane a big miss



Madrid missed Varane at the back (Image: REUTERS)

So often overshadowed by his defensive partner in crime Sergio Ramos's heroics or horror shows, Raphael Varane fails to get the credit he deserves.

This was Varane's 200th game for Real Madrid and at just 24 he has hundreds more ahead of him.

Varane dug Ramos out of trouble time and again in the first period, but didn't appear for the second-half due to a muscle problem.

His absence was immediately noted as Stuani eased past his replacement Nacho to equalise and Madrid's defence was caught square again moments later for Girona's second.

Not for the first time this season, Madrid's lack of movement in the transfer market is being questioned as Pepe's departure this summer means they are not blessed with great depth at centre-back.

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