Real Madrid suffered a backlash on the field rather than from an expected hostile atmosphere amid political turmoil in Catalonia as they slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at Girona on Sunday.
Goals from Cristhian Stuani and
Portu in four second-half minutes cancelled out Isco's opener for
Madrid as Real fell eight points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after
just 10 games.
Madrid were making their
first appearance in the deeply divided region since a violence marred
October 1 referendum plunged Spain into political crisis.
As
a reported one million people joined a rally in Barcelona in favour of
Spanish unity on Sunday, just over 100 kilometres away in the
pro-independence heartland of Girona, the visitors were expected to
receive a hostile reception.
"Girona FC's
victory against one of the greatest teams in the world is an example
and a benchmark for many situations," Catalan separatist leader Carles
Puigdemont, who was deposed by the Spanish government as president of
the regional parliament on Friday, posted on Twitter.
However,
it was events on the field that proved far more troublesome for
Zinedine Zidane's men as they lost more ground on rivals Barca in the
Liga title race.
"We know we can turn
this around. We will have better days and our rivals will lose points
over the course of the season," insisted Zidane.
"There
is nothing more we can do, and we know that sooner or later things will
turn. There is a long way to go and I am not worried."
Chants
in favour of independence and "freedom" reverberated around the 13,500
capacity Montlivi in the 17th minute as is common at Girona and
Barcelona home matches to mark the fall of Catalonia in the Spanish War
of Succession in 1714.
However, with plenty of Madrid fans present, there were also plenty of Spanish flags on show.
"Everyone who knows Girona, knew nothing would happen," said Girona coach Pablo Machin.
"The fans were sensible. They want it (the political situation) to be over. They enjoyed two brilliant hours of football."
In
their first ever match against the European champions, Girona looked
keen to make a mark from the outset and were desperately unlucky not to
go in front when Pablo Maffeo's cross came back off the inside of the
post 12 minutes in.
Seconds later,
though, the ball was in the Girona net as Madrid broke immediately
upfield and Isco tapped home the rebound after Bono parried Cristiano
Ronaldo's initial effort.
Girona dreaming
Girona
continued to dominate the game and hit the woodwork again before
half-time when Portu's flicked header looped over Kiko Casilla and back
off the inside of the post.
Real suffered
an injury blow days before they travel to face Tottenham Hotspur in the
Champions League on Wednesday as Raphael Varane was replaced by Nacho
at half-time due to a muscular problem.
And
the French international's presence at the heart of the Madrid defence
was badly missed as Stuani jinked past Nacho to fire Girona deservedly
level nine minutes into the second-half.
Just
four minutes later, Girona were in dreamland as Maffeo's driven cross
was flicked home by Portu and the goal was allowed to stand despite the
striker appearing to be in an offside position.
"We aren't popping the cava. We're mature and we knew we had a chance to beat a great side," added Machin.
"Before
kick-off it seemed improbable, but we grew throughout the game, the
players believed and we did it. We want to continue to be in this league
for many more years to come."
Rather
than mount a late comeback as they did so often on route to a first La
Liga and Champions League double for 59 years last season, Madrid looked
short of energy and ideas in the final half hour as Girona held out for
a famous victory.
"We can't make excuses," Madrid midfielder Casemiro told BeIN Sports Spain.
"We have to keep our heads because it is a difficult moment.
"We still have a chance but we need to play better and work harder. Madrid are always obliged to win."
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