Real Madrid took advantage of surprise leaders FC Girona’s slip-up and are now leading the Spanish football league over Christmas.
The record champions won 1-0 (0-0) at Deportivo Alavés on Thursday (December 21, 2023) when they were outnumbered and are ahead of the Girona team with the same points after 18 match days thanks to the better goal difference.
The Catalans had previously had to accept an equalizer in the final phase of the 1-1 (1-0) draw at Real Betis Sevilla. Real, however, won with a goal from Lucas Vázquez, who headed Toni Kroos’ corner in added time.
Red after video evidence for Nacho
After David Alaba tore his cruciate ligament, Real Madrid’s guests, who had already suffered several further absences, had to accept the next reduction in personnel during the game. Captain Nacho was shown a red card in the 55th minute for a foul following video evidence, after initially only receiving a yellow card.
The Basque hosts, who were only in 15th place, were unable to take advantage of this in what was a tough game overall. Vázquez, who is only 1.73 meters tall, made the favorite around former world champion Kroos and national player Antonio Rüdiger celebrate with his header.
Dowbyk’s eleventh goal of the season for Girona
Girona is also going into 2024 with an astonishing 45 points. The Ukrainian national player Artem Dowbyk scored his eleventh goal of the season (39th/foul penalty) to give the Catalans the lead around former Bayern professional Daley Blind, who were shortly before their 15th win in the 18th .Second game standings.
German Pezzella (88th) equalized late for the hosts with ex-Bundesliga players Marc Roca, Juan Miranda and Andres Guardado. Nevertheless: With one game still remaining in the first half of the season, Girona have only scored four points less than in the entire 2022/23 season.
Barcelona struggles to win
FC Barcelona had secured another victory after three unsuccessful games. However, the Catalans were again unconvincing against bottom team UD Almeria and struggled to a 3:2 (1:1) win against winless bottom team UD Almeria. However, the Xavi team once again showed major weaknesses in the defensive area.
Winger Raphinha (33rd) and Sergi Roberto (60th, 83rd) scored for the champions, where national team captain Ilkay Gündogan was again in the starting line-up. Leo Baptistao (41st) and Edgar (71st) brought the blatant outsiders from Almeria back twice.