Real Madrid 2:0 Girona Player Ratings: Modric’s wonderstrike helps Los Blancos put pressure on Barcelona at the top

Luka Modric scored one of the best goals of his career to help Real Madrid beat Girona 2-0. Both sides had their fair share of chances in the first half before the Croatian put his stamp on the game with an excellent volley. Madrid spent the entirety of the second half looking for security. Girona were in the hunt but Vinicius who was wasteful all day, poked one past the keeper to secure points for them.

David Alaba started his first game of the campaign after a lengthy injury lay-off much to the relief of Carlo Ancelotti. It allowed Aurelien Tchouameni to slot into his favourite midfield as Eduardo Camavinga dropped to the bench. Jude Bellingham’s red card against Osasuna meant Brahim Diaz gets another start through the middle this time. Girona resorted to a back four with Donny Van de Beek taking the number 10 role with Arnaut Danjuma leading the line.

The game had a fast start as both keepers were called into action early on. Thibaut Courtois was in the way of Arnau Martinez’s shot as Donny Van de Beek squared for him in the box. Kylian Mbappe had a toe poke turned away by Paulo Gazzaniga after he was released by Vinicius Jr.

Real Madrid’s front three were fluid throughout and their defence seized control of the proceedings. Vinicius Jr was denied by a great block from David Lopez and headed over when Mbappe crossed for him. He also couldn’t find a pass on a fast 4 v 1 break.

On the brink of the half an hour mark, Danjuma played in Van de Beek whose curling shot was saved by Courtois. Madrid set on counter immediately as Vinicius sought Mbappe in the box but was heroically foiled by Krejci. Danjuma played on the left and tried to exploit Vazquez’s weakness at right-back. They were growing in confidence and defended bravely with headers and blocks approaching halftime.

Luka Modric grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck in the 41st minute as he scored one of the best goals of his career. The Croatian received the ball from a half-cleared corner, chested it down and hit it with his right foot as the ball swerved past a diving Gazzaniga. It shattered the spirit of Girona who defended valiantly and were approaching halftime level-headed. They had a near-impossible task in the second half.

Real Madrid made a purposeful start to the second half knowing a second goal would get the three points for them. Vinicius Jr cut onto his right foot and hit the crossbar with a superb effort.

Girona made a flurry of changes past the hour mark looking to chase the game as they were only a goal down. But Real Madrid showed a renewed defensive stance to maintain a clean sheet.

Los Blancos were oddly wasteful as Vinicius and Mbappe kept missing chances after chances keeping Girona in the game. It didn’t go on for long as Mbappe slipped Vinicus in and the Brazilian finally put the game to bed in the 84th minute with a sliding finish past Gazzaniga. That was game, set and match for Los Blancos as the Catalans finally accepted their defeat.

Real Madrid turned this into a routine victory as they jumped to second place on the La Liga table. They are only separated from league leaders Barcelona by goal difference. They visit Real Sociedad for the Copa del Rey semi-finals next. Girona meanwhile missed the chance to jump to 7th and contend for a European spot. They remain 11th and could drop further positions before the weekend concludes. The Catalans host Celta Vigo on March 1st. Here are Real Madrid vs Girona Player Ratings.

Real Madrid Player Ratings

Gk – Thibaut Courtois – 6.5/10

Was alert in the box when Martinez tried to sneak one in at his near post in the opening minutes. Another fine save to deny Van de Beek’a curler.

RB – Lucas Vazquez – 6/10

Had a lot of freedom to attack the right flank as all three forwards occupied the left-hand side. He was targeted by Danjuma throughout the game.

CB – Raul Asencio – 6.5/10

The youngster playing alongside yet another defensive partner in Alaba. Was comfortable rotating the ball.

CB – David Alaba – 7/10

Made a crunching tackle just a minute into his first start in over 400 days. Displayed his excellent range of passing from the back.

LB – Ferland Mendy – 7/10

Was always attack-minded and looked to give Madrid another edge down the left. Had it easy defensively.

DM – Luka Modric – 9/10

The heartbeat of this Madrid side. Collecting possession from the defence and pushing it forward constantly evading the opposition. Scored one of his best-ever goals to give his side the lead.

DM – Aurelien Tchouameni – 7.5/10

Started in his favourite position and showed what he was capable of. Patient in the buildup and destructive in recovery.

RW – Rodrygo – 6.5/10

Started the game on the right on paper but did drift to the left as he preferred it. He was the workhorse to make the other two forwards function. Did deliver a poor cross early in the game.

CAM – Brahim Diaz – 7/10

Given his favourite central position today, he held the ball brilliantly and spread it to his forwards. Sent in a threatening cross that was beaten away.

LW – Vinicius Jr – 7.5/10

Brought his dancing shoes as he was linked up with Mbappe. Was denied a well-deserved goal by a desperate lunge from David Lopez. His final decision was missing multiple times. Did end up on the scoresheet after a fine finish late in the game.

ST – Kylian Mbappe – 7.5/10

A man in electrifying form and should have had the opener just minutes into the game. Received the ball from deep and was purposeful with it. Added an assist with a through ball to Vinicius.

SUB – Eduardo Camavinga- 6/10

Replaced Alaba and slotted into midfield pushing Tchouameni into defence.

SUB – Dani Ceballos- 6/10

A like-for-like replacement for Diaz and tried to help Madrid get security.

SUB – Antonio Rudiger- N/A

Looking to build minutes and earn his spot back.

Manager – Carlo Ancelotti – 8/10

Just a casual day at the office for the legendary Italian as his side got the job done. Perhaps would’ve loved some more goals as his side was wasteful for large periods. His defensive troubles are also easing as senior centre-backs are getting fitter.

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Girona Player Ratings

GK – Paulo Gazzaniga – 6/10

Alert early on to beat away Mbappe’s effort. Another huge fist to party a Diaz cross. Could do nothing to deny Modric’s effort.

RB – Arnau Martinez – 6.5/10

The captain had a huge chance to put his side ahead when Van de Beek found him inside the six-yard box. Defended the overloading Madrid attack on his right.

CB – David Lopez – 6.5/10

A fantastic diving lunge to deny a dancing Vinicius Jr. Won plenty of long balls coming his way.

CB – Ladislav Krejci – 6.5/10

Made his presence count in the box as he headed some crosses away. A fantastic block to cut Vinicius’ pass to Mbappe.

LB -Daley Blind – 6/10

Did a fantastic job to put Vinicius off his stride on a devastating counter. Was always checking his shoulder for Vazquez.

DM – Oriel Romeu – 5/10

Was trying to push forward join the forward line and progress the ball. Did not always succeed with his attempts though.

DM – Ivan Martin – 6/10

Did his defensive duties to perfection as he made a key clearance when Vinicius failed to get the pass away.

RW – Viktor Tsigankov – 6.5/10

Had a volley that was high and wide from a decent Danjuma delivery. Was alert in the second half as he drove with the ball forward.

CAM – Donny Van de Beek – 7/10

Created a huge chance in the box for Martinez following a set-piece. Tried to press Madrid with little success. Was replaced early in the second half for a different option.

LW – Miguel Gutierrez – 6/10

Played wide on the left side and rotated the ball with blind. Didn’t produce anything of note offensively.

ST – Arnaut Danjuma – 7/10

He dropped incredibly deep to receive the ball as his side sat very deep at times. Drifted to the left flank to take on Vazquez and created a couple of chances.

Sub – Arthur- 7/10

Entered the field to offer more control to Girona in their hunt for the equaliser.

Sub – Jhon Solis- 6/10

Sub – Bryan Gil- 6/10

Sub – Yaser Asprilla- 6/10

Sub – Bojan Miovski- 6/10

Manager – Michel – 5/10

His side defended well in the first half. Just when they were getting it together offensively, Modric’s dagger killed their spirits. Never really recovered after that.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: Luka Modric

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