Real Madrid secured a solid 2-0 victory against Girona FC at Santiago Bernabéu, delivering much-needed points as they chase top rivals Barcelona and Atlético Madrid in LaLiga. The match, held on February 23, 2025, featured stellar performances from Luka Modrić and Vinícius Júnior, who both found the net.
With the stakes high, Carlo Ancelotti made several noteworthy changes to his squad. Notably, Federico Valverde sat out the match for the first time this season, providing him with necessary rest. David Alaba also made his return to the starting lineup for the first time since suffering a torn cruciate ligament back on December 17, 2023. This match was pivotal not just for points but also served as Alaba's comeback from injury.
Girona, on the other hand, entered the match with cautious intentions, seemingly avoiding aggressive attacks right from the whistle. Instead, Real seized the initiative, showcasing their possession-based play. Surprisingly, it was Girona who nearly struck first, with Arnau Martínez forcing Thibaut Courtois to make a sharp save just five minutes in.
Real Madrid's response was swift, with Kylian Mbappé testing Girona’s goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga soon after. The match unfolded predominantly within Girona's territory, yet the Whites struggled to solidify their chances initially, much to the frustration of their supporters. Nonetheless, the breakthrough arrived late in the first half.
At the 41-minute mark, Rodrygo took responsibility for delivering a corner, which was initially cleared by Girona’s David López. The ball fell perfectly to Modrić outside the box, who unleashed a stunning shot after chesting the ball down, beating Gazzaniga to put Real Madrid up 1-0. This goal was not only pivotal for the match but also highlighted Modrić’s exemplary technique, as the strike could be considered among the best of the season.
Halftime allowed Girona to recalibrate, and they returned to the pitch with renewed vigor and ambition. Within minutes, Arnaut Danjuma found himself well-placed inside Real Madrid's box, though his shot went wide and, alarmingly for Girona, was also ruled offside. This missed opportunity illustrated the thin margins often present at this level.
Yet, the second half didn’t shift the balance entirely, as Real Madrid continued to create chances through consistent dominance of possession and build-up play. Lucas Vázquez even tried his luck from range, showcasing Real's attack mentality throughout. Vinícius was also pivotal, hitting the post once, as the match remained firmly under Real Madrid's control.
Finally, the effort bore fruit again at the 83rd minute when Vinícius Júnior found the net after some impressive link-up play with Mbappé. The Frenchman provided the decisive pass, allowing Vinícius to slide the ball past Gazzaniga, effectively sealing the match at 2-0. This was particularly significant for Vinícius, marking his first LaLiga goal since November 9, 2024, when he hat-tricked against Osasuna.
Despite the scoreline, the match was characterized by missed opportunities from Real Madrid, with Rodrygo and Mbappé both failing to convert late chances when they could have widened the gap. The final whistle confirmed the 2-0 scoreline, and Real Madrid secured three points, necessary to maintain pressure on league leaders.
The match was described as modestly won, considering the number of chances Real created. Yet, it's important to note the essence of victory, aptly quoted by Paul Cézanne, "Skromność jest cnotą wypływającą ze świadomości własnej mocy," which reflects the fine balance between achievement and self-awareness.
This win leaves Real Madrid with vindication they needed, tightening their grasp on the league title race, as they aim to overcome their earlier hiccups and push through this pivotal match of the season.