Hello and welcome to
Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in La Liga between
Real Madrid and Girona.
Santiago Solari's team have recently put together an improved set of results, and there is an opportunity to get back to within six points of Barcelona against an out-of-form Girona side.
The two teams are just making their way out at the Bernabeu, so let's take a look at the two starting lineups...
REAL MADRID XI: Courtois; Odriozola, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos,
Casemiro, Ceballos; Vazquez, Asensio, Benzema
GIRONA XI: Bono; Ramalho, Alcala, Juanpe; Porro, Pons, Luiz, Granell, R.Garcia; Portu, Stuani
We are underway at the Bernabeu.
Stuani gets played through on goal and although the angle is slightly against him, he should score. However, the former Middlesbrough man fires the ball into the face of Courtois. However, the goal would have been ruled out by VAR with the striker being offside.
We are going to have a break in play while Courtois receives some treatment. The stoppage may not be the worst thing for Real, who have started slowly.
Real are starting to get hold of the ball now, and Girona are more than happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.
Fair play to Girona, who are showing at times that they are prepared to push forward when the opportunity arises. A chance does not materialise from their second attack of the match, but it is a show of intent.
Back come Real who have happy to play the ball about in the middle third without applying much pressure. We are yet to see much of Benzema, but it is early days.
Real just had an opportunity to get the ball into the box with a free kick, but it was completely cleared by Girona.
The home side are starting to go through the gears now, but Girona are ready to launch counter-attacks as soon as a move breaks down. This game is shaping up nicely, but the first goal will be vital.
It is difficult not to be impressed by how Girona have started this game. They are not playing like a team who have not won a La Liga game in 10 attempts. There is ambition to get a win this afternoon.
CHANCE! First real opening for Real. It comes through Vazquez who does superbly to beat a Girona defender and advance into the area, but Bono is out well to make a block at his near post.
CHANCE! Girona break immediately and a chance is created for Stuani, whose shot towards the top corner from around 18 yards is well kept out by Courtois. Competitive game, this!
SHOT! Back come Real through Asensio, who drifts inside from the left flank and produces a weak shot with his right foot which is comfortably dealt with by Bono.
Real will want to find an opening goal as soon as possible. They need to find a way to discourage Girona because they are relishing the chance to go toe-to-toe with Solari's men.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Girona (Casemiro)
© Reuters
There it is! The second of two corners is only half-cleared and Kroos's outswinging cross from the right is headed into the far bottom corner from 12 yards out by Casemiro. Great goal.
It will be interesting to see how Girona react to going behind. They had impressed during the opening quarter, but they are now surely up against it.
The visitors go on the offensive again, but a low pass across the edge of the penalty area does not find its target and Real are able to deal with the danger.
Real almost find a second. Odriozola is played down the right-hand side of the penalty area and the full-back's low cross is intended for Benzema, who is the size of a boot away from converting from close range.
Girona have started to struggle ever so slightly. It's down to Real going in search of a a second and Benzema is getting more involved in the final third.
Girona are still pushing for an equaliser, rather than being satisfied with going into half time facing a one-goal deficit. It is admirable, really. They are getting the ball into the box from either flank, but Courtois, Varane and Ramos are dealing with the danger more often than not.
We should have quite a bit of added-on time. There has been another stoppage in play due to a head injury to Pons, but he appears fine to continue.
SHOT! Marcelo cuts inside onto his right foot and his eyes light up as he approaches the edge of the penalty area. However, a 25-yard strike is sent well over the bar.
SHOT! Granell is teed up on the edge of the area and the Girona player's long-range shot whistles past Courtois's left-hand post. That was close, and a reminder that Girona remain competitive in this match.
CHANCE! Real go straight back up the other end and create an opportunity for Benzema, who drills a right-footed shot straight at Bono from around 15 yards.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Marcelo has the ball in the back of the net with an excellent right-footed finish from 15 yards out, but the left-back is offside.
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
I think that may well be that for the first half. Marcelo has just taken a nasty knock to his ankle but despite a grimace, he is back on his feet.
HALF TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Girona
The half-time whistle goes in Madrid and Real lead thanks to Casemiro's header just after the midway point of the first half. Girona have contributed to a lively opening 45 minutes, but it is Solari's side who lead at the break.
Real's goal came after a corner was only half-cleared. Kroos retrieved the ball on the right flank before delivering the perfect cross for Casemiro to power a header into the far corner of the net. Bono had no chance. The defensive-minded midfielder has now scored in his last two league matches.
KICKOFF: We are back underway. Girona have made a double change.
Aleix Garcia and Lozano have being introduced into the action, with Pons and Porro being replaced.
SHOT! Real go onto the attack with the ball finding Marcelo on the left flank. The defender takes a touch before seeing a shot superbly tipped over the crossbar by Bono.
YELLOW CARD! Odriozola gets the better of Lozano and is on his way to the byline before being cynically fouled by the substitute. A definite yellow card.
SHOT! The free kick is only half-cleared into the path of Benzema, who sees an effort deflected just wide of the far post. It is all Real.
It would be a surprise if Real do not add to their lead before too long. Girona are being pegged back a lot more effectively than they were in the opening 45 minutes.
CHANCE! Benzema should provide that second. A cross is sent across the area for the forward, but the Frenchman can only hit the ball into the side-netting.
Girona have just had one attack down the left, but Lozano cannot get the better of Odriozola on the byline.
Real are going to make their first alteration soon. It looks like being Vinicius Junior, who was surprisingly dropped for this game.
SUBSTITUTION! The young Brazilian is replacing Vazquez.
CHANCE! Girona should be level! Lozano's header at the back post is well saved by Courtois, but the ball falls perfectly for
Aleix Garcia. He should score from close range but instead, a shot is blazed over the crossbar!
Real have been reminded that they are still in a game. Girona could - and probably should - be two or three down, but they are not and continue to play without pressure.
PENALTY! Girona have a penalty! Stuani has a header brilliantly saved by Courtois, but a penalty is awarded when Ramos blocked the rebound with his hand. Good decision from the referee and the Real defender is booked.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Girona (Cristhian Stuani)
Stuani steps up and sends Courtois the wrong way by sending a low effort to the Belgian's left. Girona are level!
SUBSTITUTION! Solari immediately makes a change with Bale taking the place of Asensio.
Expect Real to really pile the pressure on during this final quarter. A free kick from the flank causes all kinds of confusion in the area, but Girona just about survive.
OFF THE POST! Girona now hit the post! Portu is played in down the right - behind Marcelo - and the wideman's effort cannons back off the bar with Courtois beaten. The visitors really fancy this.
The introduction of Vinicius Junior and Bale was supposed to lead to Real sealing the three points, but Real have been second best over the past 15 minutes. I still think that we will have a decisive goal in this contest.
SUBSTITUTION! Real make a third alteration with Mariano taking the place of Ceballos.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Girona (Portu)
© Reuters
The upset is on! Girona have turned things around in Madrid and now lead. Lozano's curling effort is parried away by Courtois, but the rebound is headed inside the near post by Portu from around six yards out. Real are stunned.
SHOT! Much better from Real. Vinicius Junior goes on a mazy run from the left before cutting inside and firing just over the far top corner of the net.
Just the 11 minutes to go in Madrid. Real will remain nine points adrift of Barcelona if they lose this game. Surely it would rule them out of the title race...
Real are pushing forward at every given opportunity and Vinicius Junior has made a huge difference down the left. However, Girona are still looking a threat on the break.
SUBSTITUTION! Girona make a final change with Fernandez taking the place of Portu.
Girona have conceded 10 goals on their last two visits to the Bernabeu. They are five minutes away from arguably the biggest result in their history.
CHANCE! Bale is provided with an opportunity inside the penalty area, but Bono is out well to make a timely block.
YELLOW CARD! Alcala goes into the book for a crude challenge on Bale on the touchline.
YELLOW CARD! Casemiro follows suit with a foul in the middle of the pitch. Another deserved booking.
RED CARD! Now Ramos has been sent off! The defender went for an overhead kick in the penalty area, but the referee deems it to be dangerous play with a Girona player also making a challenge for the ball. It's a second yellow card, although is it deserved? Maybe not in this case.
There will be five minutes of added-on time.
It is all Real but for now, Girona are just about surviving. Two minutes to go!
CHANCE! Courtois is up for a corner and the goalkeeper makes connection with the header. However, it goes just wide from 12 yards out! Almost a remarkable finish to a remarkable game.
FULL TIME: Real Madrid 1-2 Girona
The full-time whistle goes at the Bernabeu and Real have suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Girona. The visitors went into this game without a win in 10 games in Spain's top flight, but goals from Stuani and Portu have provided the club with arguably the biggest result in their history.
That will be all from
Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us today and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.