FOOTBALL – REAL Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw against mid-table Girona in LaLiga last night, extending the hosts’ winless run to three games in all competitions and giving leaders Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top.
Federico Valverde put Real ahead six minutes after halftime but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar.
Barca have 76 points, six ahead of second-placed Real who have now played a game more. The Catalan side visit Espanyol today and can move nine clear with seven matches left.
Real began the night under pressure, having slipped to a loss at Mallorca last weekend to trail Barca by seven points.
Coach Alvaro Arbeloa opted for a full strength side despite Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Bayern Munich looming next Wednesday in which his side must overturn a 2-1 deficit suffered at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr led the line, with Jude Bellingham in midfield, as Real monopolised possession. Yet for all their territorial dominance, clear chances proved scarce in a tepid first half short on tempo and inspiration.
Girona were content to sit deep and spring forward when possible. They came closest before the break when Azzedine Ounahi unleashed a fierce effort from inside the box, only for goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to produce a sharp reflex save.
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