Carlo Ancelotti claimed referee Mario Melero Lopez invented a decision to award Girona a penalty after Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw.

Los Blancos moved back above Barcelona to the top of the table but dropped points for only the second time in LaLiga this season.

Vinicius Junior put the champions in front in the 70th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, but Cristhian Stuani equalised from the spot 10 minutes later.

Referee Melero Lopez adjudged Marco Asensio handled in the box after a VAR check and there was more late drama, with Rodrygo having a goal disallowed as Paulo Gazzaniga was deemed to have had control of the ball with one hand when the forward poked it into the back of the net.

Toni Kroos was then sent off for the first time in his club career in stoppage time as Madrid slipped up, but Ancelotti felt they were hard done by.

The Madrid head coach said: "I never like to talk about the referees, but today I am going to. I have spoken with Asensio and it is very clear that he does not touch the ball with his hand, it hits him in the chest.

"It is true that the position of his left hand is a little strange, but it covered the body, it did not make it bigger. There may be doubt if he touches it, but he simply did not touch the ball with his hand. This penalty is an invention."

Ancelotti conceded Madrid fell short of the standards he expects after they slipped up on the back of a Champions League defeat at RB Leipzig.

The Italian expects a response when they face Celtic on Wednesday, when the holders can secure top spot in Group F.

He said: "We're not at the level we were last week, we've had some problems, with the return of injured players, Rodrygo, [Luka] Modric, [Aurelien] Tchouameni.

"We're playing a lot of games and we're feeling tired. they have affected us a lot. We have the opportunity on Wednesday to be first and the goal is to be leaders at the break. At the moment we have everything in hand."

Toni Kroos was sent off in a 1-1 draw against lowly Girona as Real Madrid returned to the top of the table but dropped LaLiga points for only the second time this season.

Vinicius Junior's ninth goal of the season with just over 20 minutes of normal time remaining put Los Blancos in front at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That was not enough to secure the victory, though, as Marco Asensio was penalised for handball following a VAR check and Cristhian Stuani converted from the spot in the 80th minute.

Rodrygo had a late goal disallowed and Kroos was sent off for a second bookable offence as Los Blancos had to settle for a result that inched them a point above Barcelona at the summit, while Girona are out of the relegation zone.

Luka Modric shot wide in the second minute on his return from injury before Valentin Castellanos fired an early warning shot at the other end, drilling narrowly off target.

Rodrygo let fly with a rasping right-foot drive that was superbly tipped wide by Paulo Gazzaniga, but Girona continued to look dangerous and a header from captain Valery Fernandez flashed just past the left post.

A strike from Madrid forward Rodrygo rattled the right post and Yangel Herrera's left-foot effort for Girona crashed against the crossbar after Fernandez outmuscled Dani Carvajal.

There was a flashpoint early in the second half when David Lopez was perhaps fortune to only be shown a yellow card for a clash with Vinicius, who went down claiming the Girona defender headbutted him.

It was Vinicius who made the breakthrough in the 70th minute, Federico Valverde spinning away from a defender and giving the forward a tap-in from inside the six-yard box.

Gazzaniga brilliantly palmed Asensio's powerful strike against the bar soon after that opening goal, before the Madrid winger was adjudged to have handled in the box following a VAR check.

Stuani sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way with a superb spot-kick, and there was more drama when Rodrygo found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out as Gazzaniga had a hand on the ball when the striker poked it past him.

Kroos was then dismissed for a second bookable offence after a cynical stoppage-time foul as Madrid slipped up.

Real Madrid will once again be without Karim Benzema when they face Girona on Sunday and Rodrygo is also an injury doubt.

Captain Benzema trained on Friday, but the Ballon d'Or winner is still being troubled by muscular fatigue in his left leg.

Los Blancos head coach Ancelotti on Saturday revealed his star striker has undergone tests, which came back all clear.

But Madrid will not take any risks with the France international's fitness, while forward Rodrygo may also miss the LaLiga clash with Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti said of Benzema: "Yesterday he trained, after that he wasn't feeling very well. We had some tests and everything was fine, but we just want to be careful.

"The tests were quite positive, there was no problem at all, but he isn't feeling 100 per cent, so we are going to remain calm with him."

Rodrygo did not train on Saturday due to an unspecified injury and his fitness will be assessed on the day of the game.

Luka Modric, Federico Valverde and Dani Ceballos are set to return for the league leaders.

Madrid were beaten 3-2 by RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday and Ancelotti expects a response from his players.

The Italian said: "I think the team learned [from the loss to Leipzig] that we need to prep for every game as if it's the most important of the season.

"Sometimes when you play every three days you need to recover physically and it is not easy to always stay motivated."

Diego Simeone knows Atletico Madrid must raise their game after he felt they panicked in a 2-1 victory over Girona.

Angel Correa scored an early goal in each half in only his second start of the season as Atleti put a Champions League defeat at Club Brugge behind them, securing back-to-back La Liga wins and moving into fourth place.

Rodrigo Riquelme pulled a goal back with a long-range drive midway through the second half and Girona were unfortunate not to leave the Cívitas Metropolitano with at least a point from Saturday's game.

Jan Oblak produced a great save to tip Aleix Garcia's drive against the post and the Atleti goalkeeper denied the same player with another stunning late stop.

Simeone felt his side made life difficult for themselves by dropping deep after Riquelme's strike, with a terrible mistake from goalkeeper Juan Carlos for Correa's second goal costing Girona.

The Atletico head coach said: "Winning 2-0, it happens many times with the game under control a goal comes and takes you out of the state you were in.

"You begin to think more about defending in almost a game that you have won, but it is not yet won. It leads you to gather [behind the ball] as protection as anyone does when they attack you, and in the end you plant yourself in a panic situation."

Simeone has no complaints with the effort his players are showing but says they will need more when they go in search of a much-needed victory over Brugge in the coming week.

He said: "There are times when you have to win, like today. At minute 60-70 we played it the way we wanted to play it.

"They are giving everything they have to compete and be in the two competitions in the best way. We have a very tough game on Wednesday, and we need the people and the players.

"We deal with and worry about what the team are going through, how to improve it. We could make some situations better. But we are trying to give the maximum for the best of the team."

Antoine Griezmann laid on the opening goal for Correa on a day Xavi confirmed Barcelona have agreed to accept a reduced fee to make his move to Atleti permanent.

Angel Correa scored twice as Atletico Madrid put a midweek Champions League defeat behind them with a 2-1 win over Girona.

Atleti were beaten 2-0 by surprise package Club Brugge on Tuesday, but they responded with a LaLiga victory at the Civitas Metropolitano four days later

Correa marked his second LaLiga start of the season with an early goal set up by Antoine Griezmann, who played from the off after Barcelona boss Xavi confirmed an agreement had been reached over a permanent move for the France international.

A Juan Carlos howler gifted Correa his second, and although loanee Rodrigo Riquelme pulled a goal back against his parent club, Diego Simeone's side held on for all three points, helped by Jan Oblak's fine goalkeeping.

Griezmann missed a penalty in the defeat at Brugge, but he set about making amends by delivering a pinpoint cross from the left that was converted by Correa at the back post in the fifth minute.

Girona showed a positive response to going behind, Oriol Romeu having a shot blocked by Axel Witsel before Yangel Herrera scooped over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

Matheus Cunha was denied by Girona goalkeeper Carlos after Griezmann played him in with a clever pass, and Herrera headed just wide at the other end on the stroke of half-time.

Carlos then gifted Correa a second goal with a casual pass that the Argentina forward cut out before applying a simple finish.

Carlos got down well to keep out Nahuel Molina's effort at his near post after a brilliant Yannick Carrasco pass opened up the Girona defence.

Riquelme gave the promoted side a deserved lifeline with a long-range drive midway through the second half.

Girona continued to pose a threat and Oblak superbly tipped a rasping Aleix García drive against the post and denied the same player with another brilliant save, as Atleti held on under late pressure.

Girona have announced the signing of Reinier on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, following the Brazilian's temporary spell with Borussia Dortmund.

The 20-year-old was signed by Madrid in January 2020 from South American side Flamengo, where he won the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores in 2019.

Having signed a six-year deal with Madrid, Reinier joined the Castilla team before signing a two-year loan deal in August 2020 with Borussia Dortmund – which expired in June.

During his time in the Bundesliga, Reinier scored a solitary goal and was largely utilised as a substitute last season.

He was also part of the Brazil side that won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

A move to Girona will allow Madrid to keep a closer eye on him and help Reinier to adjust to the rigours of Spanish football ahead of his return to the capital at the end of the season.

Miguel Gutierrez has completed a permanent move from Real Madrid to Girona for a reported fee of €5million.

The 21-year-old full-back made just nine appearances in all for Madrid's senior team, spending most of his time at the LaLiga giants playing for the Castilla team.

After just three games for Los Blancos last season, Gutierrez has moved on and signed a five-year-deal with Girona as he seeks regular first team football.

He was a part of the Spain team that won the Under-19 European Championship in 2019, and also won the UEFA Youth League with Madrid under the guidance of legendary striker Raul in 2019-20.

Gutierrez becomes the sixth signing for Girona in this transfer window, with other arrivals including last season's Major League Soccer top goalscorer Valentin Castellanos on loan from New York City FC.

Valentin Castellanos has joined newly promoted LaLiga side Girona from New York City FC on a season-long loan.

Castellanos scored 19 goals in 32 matches last season to finish top of the Major League Soccer scoring charts and help NYCFC to their first-ever MLS Cup triumph.

The 23-year-old is level with Austin FC's Sebastian Driussi in the top-scorer standings this term, while also chipping in with two assists.

Having been linked with a move away from New York for the best part of 18 months, it was confirmed on Monday that Castellanos has joined Girona until June 2023.

The deal in place between NYCFC and Girona, who are both under the City Football Group (CFG) umbrella, does not contain the option to make the transfer permanent.

However, NYCFC sporting director David Lee is open to cashing in on Castellanos if the right offer is made, with his move to one of Europe's top leagues only heightening his profile.

"By Taty performing well in Europe, it will give us the opportunity to [sell] him at a higher valuation and a higher number than we've had so far in this transfer window," Lee said. 

Castellanos has spent four-and-a-half years with NYCFC after joining from Uruguayan side Torque – another of their sister clubs – on an initial loan deal in 2018.

He is the second-highest scorer in NYCFC's history, behind only Spain great David Villa, with 50 goals in 109 regular-season matches.

"While it is difficult to leave this club, I strongly believe that this is the right time for me to move to Europe, which has always been a personal dream of mine," Castellanos said.

"I feel confident and ready for a new challenge. I'd like to thank NYCFC and Girona for giving me this opportunity and finding a way for me to continue my journey and prove myself."

Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti could be set for a shock move to Girona, with the newly promoted LaLiga outfit refusing to rule out signing the defender.

Umtiti, a 2018 World Cup winner with France, joined Barcelona from Lyon in 2016 and was originally a first-team regular, but the 28-year-old has been continually linked with an exit after suffering a spate of injuries over the last few seasons.

He played just one league game last term as Xavi led Barcelona to second place in LaLiga after taking over from Ronald Koeman, having made a total of 40 such appearances across the three previous campaigns combined.

Amid Barcelona's financial woes, Umtiti agreed a three-year contract extension containing a salary reduction in January, allowing the Catalan giants to meet their league-imposed salary cap and register new attacker Ferran Torres.

But with Barcelona now looking to offload players in order to fund a move for wantaway Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, Umtiti has been linked with another Catalan outfit in Girona.

And Pere Guardiola, brother of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and president of Girona's board of directors, told Spanish radio station Cadena SER that such a move cannot be ruled out.

"We aren't ruling out Umtiti signing for Girona," he admitted. "[But] for these things, speak to [sporting director] Quique Carcel and [head coach] Michel." 

Cristhian Stuani's first-half penalty helped propel Girona to a 3-1 play-off victory over Tenerife to seal promotion to La Liga.

A goalless draw in the first leg in Girona left everything to play for in the return fixture and a spot-kick from Stuani just before the break gave the visitors the lead, though Carlos Luiz equalised for Tenerife before the hour mark.

Yet an own goal from Jose Leon saw Michel Sanchez's team regain the lead, with Arnau Martinez clinching the result with ten minutes remaining to send Girona back to the top tier of Spanish football.

Stuani netted 40 league goals over two seasons during Girona's last stint in the top flight and the 35-year-old is likely to be a key player next season.

Relegated from La Liga in 2018-19, Girona had back-to-back fifth-placed finishes in the second tier and fell at the last hurdle last year after losing the play-off final to Elche.

Girona coach Sanchez, meanwhile, has now been promoted to LaLiga for a third time, having previously managed the feat with Rayo Vallecano in 2018 and Huesca in 2020.

The result means Tenerife's 12-year wait for a return to the top-flight is extended. 

Girona will discover their fixtures for the 2022-23 season next month ahead of the start of the new campaign in August.

Rayo Vallecano secured a return to LaLiga with a 2-0 victory at Girona to complete a stunning aggregate comeback in the Segunda Division play-off final.

Girona took a 2-1 advantage back to Montilivi on Sunday but it was swiftly all square when Alvaro Garcia dispatched Emiliano Velazquez's througball in the seventh minute.

Andoni Iraola's men led the tie in first-half stoppage time when captain Oscar Trejo snaffled a close-range chance.

Rayo's hopes suffered a blow in the 56th minute when Velazquez was given a second yellow card for a foul on Ramon Terrats but the Madrid club held out to end a two-season absence from the top flight.