Girona

Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Kylian Mbappe were on target on Saturday, moving to within two points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Since losing 4-0 to Barca at the end of October, Madrid have won four of their last five LaLiga matches, with their sole defeat coming against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

But Ancelotti feels his team are rediscovering their best form.

"Bellingham has scored his fifth goal in a row. He's back and in good form. Mbappe scored too," he said.

"We have to hang in there, little by little we're coming back.

"We had to hold on at the beginning because Girona pushed hard. We did a good job collectively, and then we handled the advantage well. The team had more clarity and more ideas. I think the second half went very well."

The Italian also praised Guler's performance after the Turkish youngster scored Madrid's second goal.

"He wasn't good in the first half but in the second half he scored a fantastic goal," Ancelotti said.

"What I want to highlight is his work. He runs a lot and helps the team. His goal takes a bit of pressure off him.

"He's a young player with a lot of pressure around him and it's good for him to take a bit of pressure off."

An injury to Bellingham was a cause for concern for Madrid, but Ancelotti allayed any major fears.

"[Bellingham] is fine, he is available," said the Italian. "We've had the muscle injury to [Benjamin] Mendy but the rest of it is just knocks, nothing more,"

Mbappe's goal brought up his 200th in the top five leagues, while Bellingham has scored in five consecutive league games in a single season for the first time.

Vinicius has missed Madrid's last three games in all competitions with a muscle injury sustained in Los Blancos' 3-0 win over Leganes in the league last month. 

His absence from the squad has seen Ancelotti's men struggle for results, losing to Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao either side of a home triumph over Getafe. 

In LaLiga this season, Vinicius has created the most chances (29), completed the most dribbles (38) and registered the most goal involvements (13) for Madrid. 

"Seeing Vinicius back is good news, it gives us more encouragement," Ancelotti told a press conference on Friday.

"He has recovered very well. He won't be in tomorrow's game, but he'll be ready for the next one, in the Champions League."

Ancelotti also provided an update on David Alaba, who is yet to feature for Madrid this term after picking up an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last year.

"Alaba has encouraged us a lot in training, but he needs another month to be ready to play in January," Ancelotti added.

"In December he will continue to work individually and little by little he will also join the team. But the deadline for him is next year."

Madrid sit second in the standings, four points behind Barcelona at the summit, though they have a game in hand over their Clasico rivals. 

But Ancelotti's side come into their weekend encounter against Girona in poor form, having lost five of their last 11 matches across all competitions. 

They have also lost 50% of their visits to Girona at the Municipal de Montilivi in LaLiga (P4 W2 L2).

Only against Barcelona (54.3% - P94 W23 D20 L51) do they have a higher percentage of away defeats in the competition (50% also against Alcoyano and Lleida).

But they have also struggled in the Champions League, sitting 24th in the new 36-team league table and at a threat of not reaching the knockout stages. 

"I'm worried, and it's normal, but it's not a funeral," Ancelotti said. "We're still in the fight in all competitions.

"(We recognise) our problems, but we have to be optimistic because we have a quality squad.

"We haven't played at our best, but we're convinced that we're going to do it, sooner or later. My level of concern is medium."

Ancelotti was also calm about the form of Kylian Mbappe, who missed his second penalty in a week during their 2-1 defeat to Bilbao on Wednesday. 

Despite having more shots on target (three) and more touches in the opposition's box (six) than any player on the pitch, the Frenchman struggled once again. 

"He is aware (he hasn't been at his best)," Ancelotti said. "Obviously, we are with him.

"He's not playing at his best, but there are many who aren't either and are not aware of it. He is. And he's doing everything he can to do it as soon as possible.

"He has improved a lot when it comes to the intensity of the game. Against Getafe, he did 600 metres at maximum intensity and against Athletic he did 500.

"It's a good level. We have to support him, but that doesn't mean he has to play every game."

Madrid never led at Montilivi, falling 2-0 down inside 24 minutes thanks to a couple of goals from Taty Castellanos.

Vinicius Junior pulled one back, but Castellanos added another two in the second half before Lucas Vazquez's late consolation.

Castellanos became the first player this century to score four goals in one LaLiga game against Madrid, and the defeat means Barcelona could extend their lead at the summit to 14 points on Wednesday.

While Madrid's LaLiga hopes are all but over, they are into the Champions League semi-finals and final of the Copa del Rey – they still have much to play for this term, and Ancelotti hopes this defeat jolts them back into life.

Asked if the loss could be a wake-up call, Ancelotti said: "Yes, it can be, although a loss is never good.

"I reiterate the importance of defensive commitment: if we have that, we will always win, and if not, it will cost us. That is the key, our key, and today we didn't have it.

"Of the last seven games, we kept six clean sheets, and in this game, [we conceded] four goals. I hope my players have understood. If not, I will repeat it to them every day."

But it was not just the defence Ancelotti was frustrated by.

He found the individual level lacking across the team and felt they did not work collectively after finding themselves in trouble

"It's tough, because when you lose it has to be tough," he added. "The game was bad in defence and that has been the key, because we did well with the ball, especially at the beginning.

"But we weren't forceful in duels, they caught us on two counters... and from there, everything became more difficult.

"We tried to come back individually, not as a team, because today the team has not played. The individual level was also below normal, but not just for some, rather in general. The level was very low."

Girona, surprise third-place finishers last season, dominated possession in the early stages before taking the lead in the 38th minute when Yangel Herrera rose high to head in Daley Blind's cross.

Celta responded well but initially struggled to test Paulo Gazzaniga in their search for an equaliser, with Girona offering little in terms of threat at the other end.

The hosts eventually found a way through in the 81st minute - Williot Swedberg laid the ball off to Aspas, who made no mistake with his composed finish. 

Girona sit 12th in the LaLiga table on nine points from eight games, while Celta moved to ninth place with 10 points ahead of the remaining weekend fixtures.

Data Debrief: Girona stumble again

Girona may have had fewer shots than their hosts (nine compared to Celta's 12), but they looked set to end their winless run despite that. In the first half, they had three big chances, of which they took one.

In the end, Celta's push for an equaliser paid off, with Aspas netting the winner with their first shot on target. They only had two overall, with the other coming just seconds before the final whistle. 

It was the Celta captain's fourth goal in LaLiga this campaign, and his 160th in the competition overall (365 appearances).

The Netherlands forward converted an 85th-minute penalty as Barca clinched a 3-1 win over Girona at Johan Cruyff Stadium on Saturday.

Depay joined the Blaugrana on a free transfer earlier this month after his contract expired with Ligue 1 club Lyon.

"I know they expect a lot from me," Depay told a post-match media conference.

"I'm very happy to have played with this shirt. I enjoyed the fans in the stadium, they were very enthusiastic throughout the match and they have shown a lot of energy. 

"I work hard to provide incredible moments for Barca fans. 

"When we play in the stadium it will be incredible too. The fans will give us energy."

Depay netted 76 goals in 178 appearances for Lyon where he enjoyed an impressive final season in Ligue 1 with 20 goals, trailing only Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe (27 goals).

The 27-year-old's 12 assists and 94 chances created were more than any other player managed in France's top flight in 2020-21.

In all competitions, meanwhile, Depay scored 22 goals last term at an average of one goal every 141.5 minutes, making it his second-best season since arriving.

He massively exceeded his expected goals (xG) total of 12.38.

"He is a high-quality player," Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman said of Depay after the win over Girona.

"He has shown it in certain moments of the game. It is important because you have to have competition in the positions at the top.

"Some players may have more minutes than others in pre-season. The internationals, not yet. Little by little we will give more. We will try to be prepared for the first league game."

Girona ended a six-game winless streak across all competitions by beating Athletic Bilbao prior to the international break, but they have lost several key players to injury.

Pau Lopez, Yaser Asprilla, Bryan Gil and Daley Blind are among those to be sidelined ahead of a gruelling run of fixtures prior to the November international break, including two Champions League matches against Slovan Bratislava and PSV.

"We have seven games in 21 days and we are short of players. We will have to call up five players from our youth academy for tomorrow's match," Michel said on Friday.

"Sociedad have a great squad and should fight to be at the top, but I also think the same about us. 

"It's important that the fans are with us, I didn't like the way they booed us the other day [against Athletic].

"My players fight for every ball and they deserve to wear the Girona shirt. I hope the stadium will be full, we need it very much in such a historic season."

Backed by the wealth of their Abu Dhabi owners, Girona went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid in the title race last season, beating Barcelona twice before finishing third and qualifying for European football for the first time.

However, they have struggled this term with only three wins in all competitions, suffering losses to Feyenoord and Paris Saint-Germain in their first two Champions League matches.

Michel said: "We have players with personality and character. They also have a special motivation to be here. 

"I'm worried about injuries because of the calendar... There's the Copa del Rey, two Champions League games, LaLiga... I'm worried, of course, but it is what it is.

"The players do everything in their power to make our fans proud of them. That's why I think that together we are stronger and at home we need the fans to be our 12th player."

Michel's men welcome Slovan Bratislava to the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi on Tuesday, hoping to secure their first three points of the competition this season. 

However, they must do so without several of their first-team players.

It was confirmed by Michel that Girona would be without striker Abel Ruiz and young playmaker Gabriel Misehouy, only adding to the Blanquivermells' injury woes.

The pair join the likes of Viktor Tsygankov, Oriol Romeu, Jhon Solis, Portu, Bryan Gil, Pau Lopez and Yaser Asprilla as the players unavailable for the clash against the Slovakian outfit.

"We have no one back, and we are missing Abel Ruiz due to adductor problems. Misehouy is also missing because he can't play," Michel told reporters.

"Marc Aznar, (Juan) Arango, Selvi (Clua), and two goalkeepers will come from the reserve team and we have to evaluate them.

"Even so, we have 11 players to form a starting side."

Having lost to Paris Saint-Germain and Feyenoord, Girona's absentees have made earning that first win a little bit tougher for the Catalan club. 

Should Girona lose on Tuesday, they would become the first Spanish side to suffer defeats in each of their first three Champions League games. 

But Michel wants his players to appreciate where they find themselves this season after finishing third in LaLiga last season. 

"Playing in the Champions League with Girona cannot be just another game," Michel said.

"I don't want to tiptoe around this competition and that people don't give it the value it has," the coach said.

"It has a lot of merit for what we have done and also for the club, which has made efforts, and we have to enjoy it and value it.

"For me, tomorrow is a very special day, just like the two previous matches."

With Thursday's first leg in Elche finishing 0-0, the return clash in Catalonia also appeared set to finish without a goal in the regulation 90 minutes.

But Pere Milla headed in the decisive goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, as Elche made the most of their numerical advantage following the dismissal of Cristhian Stuani, who was shown a red card after a VAR review deemed he stamped on an opponent.

Victory sees Elche return to LaLiga after five years away.

They were relegated from LaLiga in 2014-15 despite finishing 13th, as Elche became the first club in the division's history to be demoted due to their financial difficulties.

Since then, they have dropped as far as the third tier, but Elche now join champions Huesca and second-placed Cadiz in earning promotion to Spain's top tier.

A depleted Girona were missing 13 players due to injuries but had no problems beating lowly Extremadura thanks to a brace by Bojan Miovski and goals from Bryan Gil and Arnau Martinez.

Girona manager Michel had to call up seven academy players for the trip to Badajoz and had more bad news as striker Arnaut Danjuma was forced off with a leg injury.

Gil opened the scoring with a strike from the edge of the box in the 12th minute, however, to ease any concerns for the LaLiga side.

Miovski's header in the 58th minute saw Girona extend their lead and the Macedonian forward scored the third four minutes later before Martinez completed the rout from long range.

Flick, whose Barcelona reign has started with four consecutive victories, enjoyed watching Girona last season as they took LaLiga by storm, going toe-to-toe with Real Madrid in the title race and reaching the Champions League for the first time.

But despite heaping praise on rival manager Michel's work after he led them to a third-place finish, Flick said there will be no sympathy when they step on the pitch.

"We've won four games in a row, and we have to keep going," Flick told a press conference on Saturday.

"I know it will be complicated because Girona play really well. It's a match at the highest level, Champions League level, and we're playing away. But we are confident because we have quality.

"Last season I watched Girona a lot, and I was really impressed by what the coach did and how the players responded.

"But we know how we have to play, and I'm sure the players will deliver. We must not look back. What happened, happened. The key on Sunday is that all our players give their best out there."

Barcelona are top of the standings with 12 points, five above fifth-placed Girona, who are coming off solid wins against Osasuna and Sevilla.

Flick said his team needed to make Girona uncomfortable and dominate possession against an exciting attacking side, who won 4-2 in both LaLiga games against Barca last term.

"We know that Girona's strength is having the ball. We have to press well, defend as a block, stay well positioned and not give them any space," Flick added.

"It will be a tactical battle, but we want the ball and, if we have it, we have a good chance of winning. It will be a good test for us, it will be like a Champions League match."

Yamal, who grabbed the spotlight as he helped Spain win their fourth European Championship title in July, scored twice in seven first-half minutes to put them in control.

Dani Olmo and Pedri then secured the win before Cristhian Stuani's consolation and Ferran Torres' late sending-off for a reckless challenge.

Barcelona maintained their unbeaten start to the season, getting their fifth consecutive win at the start of Flick's tenure.

"I'm very happy about Lamine's two goals, he's very young, but he's really incredible, a difference maker at such a young age," Flick told Movistar Plus.

"Having him is key for us not only because of his quality, but he also presses very well high. He combines talent and pressure and that's massive for us. He is outstanding.

"It was a tough game. Girona played well, but we started very well too, and we deserved to win."

Flick's Barcelona top the LaLiga standings with 15 points, four ahead of Real Madrid and Villarreal. Last year's surprise package, Girona, are seventh with seven points.

Barca avenged their two losses to Girona last season, both by a 4-2 result.

It was a dominant performance by the Catalan giants, whose relentless high press was too much for their opponents to handle as they had 20 shots (nine on target), outperforming their 1.82 expected goals.

Now, Barcelona will hope to carry their domestic momentum into the Champions League, where they will face Monaco away on Thursday.

"We have trained very hard for this, and we need to keep going. This last week we have prepared well, but we do it for every game we play because we always want to win, we are in a good moment, and we can't stop," Flick added.

"It won't be easy against Monaco, but we're taking it one game at a time, and we're really excited. We're all looking forward to it."

Cristobal found himself at the centre of one of the most peculiar incidents of the season on Sunday, as Fuenla hosted Girona at Estadio Fernando Torres in Spain's Segunda.

With Fuenla chasing a 1-0 deficit, they looked to have received a significant blow when Cristobal was sent off after a collision with Girona captain Alex Granell – the former seeming to go in with a high foot.

But following a VAR review, Cristobal's red card was downgraded to a yellow card and he had to be fetched from the hosts' dressing room.

Fuenla's joy was short-lived, however, as the nonsense was just getting started.

While making his way back on to the pitch, Cristobal pointed at Granell, made a talking gesture with his hand and then became embroiled in an altercation with him – the pair going head-to-head.

Referee Isidro Diaz de Mera showed them both a yellow card, and subsequently Cristobal's second red of the day.

Fuenla coach Miguel Chamorro then followed Cristobal back to the locker room after he too was shown a red card for his protestations.

There was to be no VAR reprieve this time, and Fuenlabrada succumbed to a 1-0 defeat - Cristhian Stuani with the decisive goal.

Cristobal can at least console himself with the fact he was party to one of the most bizarre red card incidents one is ever likely to see.

It means Girona have won back-to-back LaLiga games for just the second time this season.

Herrera headed home in the 42nd minute of a match devoid of much in the way of attacking quality from either team.

Indeed, there were just 11 shots throughout, with Getafe having eight and Girona three, with the hosts failing to get any of their attempts on target.

Between them, the teams combined for just 0.52 expected goals (xG) - 0.33 for Getafe and 0.19 for Girona.

The result lifted struggling Girona to 18 points and into ninth place, with Getafe 17th on 10 points.

Data Debrief: Heads up for Herrera

Herrera's goal was his second in the league this season, with his first having also been a header.

Only Thierno Barry (three) has scored more headed goals in LaLiga this term.

Getafe, meanwhile, have won only one of their 13 matches in LaLiga in 2024-25, which matches their worst record at this stage of a season, set in 2021-22.

A dominant first-half saw the hosts enjoy 69.1% possession, but register just one shot on target, with Yaser Asprilla unable to test Augusto Batalla. 

The Colombian again went close after the break, striking a fierce left-footed effort that cannoned off the crossbar as Girona continued to ramp up the pressure. 

Cristhian Stuani missed two golden opportunities to net his third league goal of the season late on, firing both efforts from close range off target. 

The hosts continued to push for a first win in four games in all competitions, but Miguel Gutierrez and Yangel Herrera were unable to find the back of the net. 

Girona almost found themselves behind in the 88th minute when Alvaro Garcia was put through, but he was unable to score with just Rayo Vallecano's second strike of the contest. 

Data Debrief: Blanquivermells fire a blank, again

After pushing Real Madrid all the way for the LaLiga title last year, Michel's side have managed just two wins from seven league games, scoring once in their last four fixtures in all competitions. 

The departure of last season's top scorer, Artem Dovbyk, has left a huge hole at the top end of the pitch, with Girona registering an expected goals (xG) total of 2.22 from their 11 shots, only one of which was on target. 

Girona also missed three big chances at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, with their fortunes in front of goal needing to improve if they are to replicate last campaign's heroics once again.

Runaway leaders in both the Premier League and European football's new elite league phase, Liverpool are now on the brink of the last 16 with two games to spare.

Girona suffered their fifth defeat from six in the competition but made the Reds work for their victory and in the opening half had chances to take the lead.

There were foiled by Alisson, though, with the Brazil goalkeeper fit again and restored to the Liverpool XI for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in early October.

While Liverpool struggled to create at times at the other end, they found their breakthrough from the spot in the 63rd minute after a VAR review highlighted a foul by Donny van de Beek on Luis Diaz.

Salah converted from 12 yards, and Liverpool were able to keep their hosts at arm's length thereafter to continue a sensational season.

Data debrief: Stars at either end sustain Slot's Reds

Salah was a predictable hero for Liverpool, netting his 16th of the campaign. With 12 assists, too, his 28 goal involvements in all competitions are the most of any player in Europe's top five leagues this term. This winner was also his 50th Champions League goal.

But the Reds were also reliant on the returning Alisson, whose five saves ensured a fifth straight Champions League clean sheet for his side.

While Slot may have been slightly concerned by Girona's ability to create 1.02 expected goals, with Newcastle United similarly productive in their last match, Liverpool will be delighted to have their star goalkeeper back as a last line of defence.

Coming off a gutsy victory over Athletic Bilbao, last season's surprise package Girona have failed to string consecutive wins together this term and have 12 points from 10 league games.

The visitors went ahead when captain Mikel Oyarzabal headed home Ander Barrenetxea's cross from the left for his first goal of the season.

Arnaut Danjuma had some presentable opportunities to restore parity, but the former Villarreal, Tottenham and Everton forward failed to bury any of his three shots.

Indeed, without Bryan Gil and Yaser Asprilla, who were injured, Girona failed to test La Real too much, accumulating only 0.38 expected goals (xG) from their eight attempts as they slumped to a fourth league defeat of the season.

Data Debrief: La Real continue to get the better of Girona

Girona have played more games against La Real without winning (P9 D6 L3) than they have against any other opponent in LaLiga.

Indeed, La Real have not lost any of their last five games against Girona in all competitions (D3 W2).

Girona boss Michel has managed eight games in all competitions against La Real without a win, too.

Second-placed Madrid have 36 points with a game in hand on Barca, who drew 2-2 at Real Betis earlier on Saturday, after inflicting Girona's sixth loss of the campaign.

Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute by capitalising on a loose ball and firing home from the centre of the box, with the England international then turning provider for Madrid's second goal.

Ten minutes into the second half, his defence-splitting throughball teed up Guler to double Madrid's lead, though Bellingham was withdrawn with an injury soon afterwards. 

Mbappe then added further gloss shortly after the hour mark, firing home from a tight angle for his ninth league goal of the season. 

Data debrief: Mbappe brings up double century

Mbappe's ninth league goal for Madrid was also his 200th in his career across Europe's top five leagues, on his 261st such appearance.

He netted 16 times for Monaco and 175 times with Paris Saint-Germain. 

He was not the only Blancos star with something to celebrate, as Bellingham made it five straight games with a goal for the very first time in Europe's top leagues, though his second-half exit will concern Carlo Ancelotti.

Yamal gave Barca a two-goal lead with two strikes in seven first-half minutes, dispossessing David Lopez before racing through on goal to curl home his first.

The teenager's second came following good work from Robert Lewandowski, who teed him up to strike through a crowded penalty area and in after 37 minutes.

Dani Olmo extended their lead further with an angled finish after the break, then Pedri tapped home a 64th-minute fourth. 

Girona substitute Cristhian Stuani netted a consolation goal in the 80th minute, six minutes before Barca were reduced to 10 men, forward Ferran Torres receiving a straight red card for a nasty studs-up challenge on Yaser Asprilla.

The Blaugrana's fifth straight win keeps them top of LaLiga on 15 points, four ahead of Real Madrid and Villarreal, while Girona are seventh, eight points off the summit.

Data Debrief: Post-Messi high for Barca

Barcelona have scored 17 goals through their first five games of the season in LaLiga, making a stunning start to life under new boss Hansi Flick.

That is the most they have managed through their opening five matches of a campaign since they also hit 17 in 2017-18.

Prior to the Lionel Messi era, the last time they had netted more at this stage of a season was in 1959-60, when they also scored 17 times.

Gutierrez and Arnaut Danjuma combined brilliantly throughout on the left wing, and it was the latter's run to the byline and pull-back that set up the wing-back to break the deadlock for the Spaniards with a first-time finish three minutes before half-time.

Playing in their first European season, Girona continued to outclass their Slovakian visitors after the break, and Dominik Takac saved brilliantly from Bojan Miovski in the 54th minute to prevent the home side from increasing their lead. 

It took a moment of brilliance from Juanpe in the 73rd minute to make it 2-0, with his direct free-kick glancing off one of the players in the wall before flying into the net.

Cristhian Stuani's late penalty was saved well by Dominic Takac, while Paulo Gazzaniga was called into late action to preserve his clean sheet by keeping out Tigran Barseghyan's curling effort.

Girona now sit 20th in the 36-team table, while Slovan remain bottom after three straight defeats, with a goal difference of -10. 

Data Debrief: History is made

Girona have largely mastered their own downfall in the Champions League this season, scoring three own goals across their last two defeats.

But, they put that behind them on Tuesday to record three points in the competition for the first time in their history.

Guttierez's opener was his first goal in all competitions since May, while Juanpe became the second-oldest Spanish player (at 33 years, 175 days) to score on his Champions League debut, after Vicente Engonga Mate for Real Mallorca in September 2001 (35y 326d).

Alex Berenguer won the first penalty in the 26th minute after being fouled by Arnau Martinez, but the goalkeeper denied him when he stepped up.

Athletic were punished shortly after as Yaser Asprilla sent a dangerous left-footed cross past Alex Padilla into the bottom-left corner.

Oihan Sancet scored the equaliser just two minutes later, but the visitors' poor luck from 12 yards continued after the break.

Inaki Williams' effort was also stopped but had to be retaken as Gazzaniga's feet were off the line. However, the goalkeeper kept his nerve, as he denied Ander Herrera, who stepped up to take the second attempt.

Deep in stoppage time, Aitor Paredes brought down Ladislav Krejci in the box and received two bookings in less than a minute, one for the foul and the second for dissent.

Stuani duly converted the resulting spot-kick to seal all three points for Girona and end a four-match winless run in LaLiga. 

Data Debrief: Athletic pay the penalty for spot-kick woe

Athletic will be scratching their heads as to how they came away from this game with nothing, given the attacking threat they showed throughout.

They accumulated 2.59 expected goals (xG) from their 13 shots, albeit those two spot-kicks played a huge part in that total, but come away with an unwanted record as they missed two penalties in a single LaLiga game for the first time this century.

That was largely down to Gazzaniga's heroics, though, as he showed his prowess with three saves, even if one of those will not officially count. 

Stuani proved the hero in the end though, scoring his sixth goal against Athletic in LaLiga to get Michel's side up and running again before the international break.