By Daily Sports on October 30, 2017

Spanish football giant, Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat from the hands of Girona on Sunday in an expected hostile atmosphere amid political turmoil in Catalonia.

Goals from Cristhian Stuani and Portu in four second-half minutes cancelled out Isco's opener for Madrid as Real fell eight points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after just 10 games.

Madrid were making their first appearance in the deeply divided region since a violence marred October 1 referendum plunged Spain into political crisis.

As reported one million people joined a rally in Barcelona in favour of Spanish unity on Sunday, just over 100 kilometres away in the pro-independence heartland of Girona, the visitors were expected to receive a hostile reception.

However, it was events on the field that proved far more troublesome for Zinedine Zidane's men as they lost more ground on rivals Barca in the Liga title race.

"We know we can turn this around. We will have better days and our rivals will lose points over the course of the season," insisted Zidane.

"There is nothing more we can do, and we know that sooner or later things will turn. There is a long way to go and I am not worried."

Chants in favour of independence and "freedom" reverberated around the 13 500 capacity Montlivi in the 17th minute as is common at Girona and Barcelona home matches to mark the fall of Catalonia in the Spanish War of Succession in 1714.

"We can't make excuses," Madrid midfielder Casemiro told BeIN Sports Spain.

"We have to keep our heads because it is a difficult moment.

"We still have a chance but we need to play better and work harder. Madrid are always obliged to win," he said. © AFP

•Photo shows Zinedine Zidane.

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 30, 2017

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