Three days after suffering its third defeat in seven matches, a struggling Real Madrid takes on Girona in La Liga.
After losing the last away game on Wednesday against Athletic Club, Ancelotti’s side are called to react against Girona on Saturday.
The side coached by Michel are currently sitting eighth, while the Blancos are in second place, four points behind FC Barcelona, but also with a game in hand.
Despite Real Madrid pulling within one point of Barcelona last weekend, the gap atop the La Liga standings is back to four points after Los Blancos could not salvage a result against Athletic Bilbao.
Nothing went right for Carlo Ancelotti’s side at San Mamés; Kylian Mbappé missed another penalty, Fede Valverde gifted the hosts their second goal and just about everyone aside from Jude Bellingham struggled to produce a solid performance.
The defending Spanish and European champions must turn the page quickly and prepare for a match against Girona without the injured Vinicius Jinior, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militão.
Vinicius Junior and Alaba returned to training with the team, though, and the Brazilian is expected to be back against Atalanta on Dec. 10.
Until Real Madrid gets Vinicius Junior back, the club needs to collect three points against Girona if it wants to keep the pressure on Hansi Flick’s men.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Brahim.
