If you're hunting for the full lowdown on Real Madrid vs Girona matches, you've hit the jackpot. As a La Liga fan who's tracked this matchup since Girona's promotion, I've seen the David vs Goliath drama unfold firsthand. That 2-1 loss at Montilivi in 2019? I nearly spilled my cerveza watching Carvajal's own goal. We're diving deep into every single clash, stats you won't find elsewhere, and why this rivalry's heating up.
The Origins: When This Rivalry Began
Girona FC didn't face Real Madrid professionally until October 2014 in Copa del Rey. Before that? Only friendlies and reserve team scraps. Their first top-flight meeting came three years later, August 2017. I remember pundits calling it a glorified training session for Madrid. Boy, were they wrong.
Date | Competition | Venue | Result | Key Moment |
---|---|---|---|---|
26 Oct 2014 | Copa del Rey | Montilivi | Girona 1-4 Real Madrid (Jese 2 goals) |
Girona's first goal vs Madrid (El Ghanassy) |
26 Aug 2017 | La Liga | Montilivi | Girona 1-3 Real Madrid (Ramos penalty 85') |
Girona's La Liga debut vs giants |
Complete Match-by-Match Timeline
Here's every official meeting since Girona joined La Liga. Bookmark this table - it's the most detailed cronología de Real Madrid contra Girona futbol club you'll find online.
Season | Date | Venue | Competition | Score | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017-18 | 26 Aug 2017 | Montilivi | La Liga | Girona 1-3 RM | Isco scores brace |
2017-18 | 17 Feb 2018 | Bernabéu | La Liga | RM 6-3 Girona | Ronaldo hat-trick |
2018-19 | 17 Feb 2019 | Bernabéu | La Liga | RM 1-2 Girona | Stuani brace shocks Madrid |
2018-19 | 25 Sep 2019 | Montilivi | La Liga | Girona 1-1 RM | Ramos 90+1' equalizer |
2022-23 | 30 Apr 2023 | Bernabéu | La Liga | RM 2-0 Girona | Vini Jr. & Benzema goals |
2023-24 | 30 Sep 2023 | Montilivi | La Liga | Girona 0-3 RM | Bellingham debut goal |
2023-24 | 10 Feb 2024 | Bernabéu | La Liga | RM 4-0 Girona | Title-deciding thrashing |
That 2019 upset still stings for Madridistas. Girona parked the bus and Stuani pounced twice. Nacho got roasted all night - never seen him so flustered.
Key Stats That Define the Rivalry
Overall Head-to-Head
- Total Matches: 12
- RM Wins: 8
- Draws: 2
- Girona Wins: 2
Goal Analysis
- Total Goals: 41 (Avg 3.4/game)
- RM Goals: 31
- Girona Goals: 10
- Biggest Win: RM 6-3 (2018)
Notice how Girona's wins both came at Montilivi? Their tiny 14,000-seater becomes a pressure cooker against big teams. Madrid players complain about the narrow pitch.
Top Scorers in the Fixture
- Cristiano Ronaldo (RM): 5 goals (all in 2017-18 season)
- Cristhian Stuani (GIR): 3 goals
- Karim Benzema (RM): 3 goals
- Vinicius Jr (RM): 2 goals
Shockingly, no current Girona player except Stuani has scored more than once against Madrid. Their midfielders freeze in front of Courtois.
Game-Changing Moments in the Rivalry
The 6-3 Bernabéu Thriller (2018)
February 2018: Ronaldo's hat-trick disguised defensive horrors. Madrid led 3-1 then conceded twice in 8 minutes. Marcelo's celebration after making it 4-3? Pure relief. Girona's Portu terrorized Carvajal all game.
Stuani's Montilivi Masterclass (2019)
February 2019: Girona's first league win vs Madrid. Stuani bullied Varane physically - something I'd never seen before. Casemiro's red card killed Madrid's comeback hopes. Local papers called it "The Miracle of Montilivi."
The Title-Deciding 4-0 (2024)
February 2024: Madrid ended Girona's fairytale title bid emphatically. Bellingham's backheel goal broke the internet. Girona coach Michel admitted post-game: "They showed us the difference between aspiration and reality."
Where the Cronología Stands Today
Post-2020 matches reveal a pattern: Madrid dominate but Girona fight harder. Look at these possession stats:
Season | Venue | RM Possession | Girona Possession | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022-23 | Bernabéu | 61% | 39% | RM 2-0 |
2023-24 | Montilivi | 54% | 46% | RM 3-0 |
2023-24 | Bernabéu | 58% | 42% | RM 4-0 |
Girona's trying to play more expansively now against big teams. Admirable, but suicidal against Madrid's counter-attack. Vini Jr. has scored in their last three meetings by exploiting that space.
Future Outlook: Next Clash Predictions
With Girona qualifying for 2024-25 Champions League, this cronología de Real Madrid contra Girona futbol club gets spicier. I predict:
- First 2024-25 Meeting: Late October 2024 (based on La Liga scheduling patterns)
- Likely Venue: Bernabéu (alternates yearly)
- Key Factor: Whether Girona keeps Tsygankov and Savinho post-UCL interest
If Michel's boys strengthen wisely, we could see their first competitive draw at Bernabéu. But Ancelotti always finds tactical solutions - remember his 2023 midfield overload that suffocated Girona's buildup?
Ultimate Fan FAQ: Real Madrid vs Girona
Has Girona ever beaten Real Madrid?
Twice: 2-1 in 2019 La Liga and 1-0 in a 2016 friendly. Their competitive win came at Montilivi with Stuani scoring both goals against a Madrid side missing Benzema.
What's Real Madrid's biggest win vs Girona?
The 6-3 demolition in February 2018 at Santiago Bernabéu. Ronaldo netted a hat-trick while Asensio and Benzema added goals. Oddly, Madrid conceded three to a relegation-battling side.
Where can I watch upcoming Real Madrid vs Girona games?
In USA: ESPN+ or ABC for big matches. UK: Viaplay Sports. Spain: Movistar LaLiga. Check local listings 72hrs pre-game as broadcasters rotate.
Who has more red cards in this fixture?
Girona (4) vs Madrid (3). Dani Carvajal owns Madrid's only straight red (2020). Girona's Pere Pons got sent off twice in this matchup - both for tactical fouls on Vini Jr.
Stadium Guide for Traveling Fans
Estadi Montilivi (Girona):
Capacity: 14,624
Visiting Fan Section: North Stand (max 800 seats)
Ticket Tips: Buy through Girona FC website 4-6 weeks pre-match. Madrid games sell out fastest.
Atmosphere: Intense but friendly. Avoid wearing full RM kit in home zones.
Why This Rivalry Matters Now
Girona's no longer a plucky underdog. Michel's side finished third in 2024 playing champagne football. Madrid's cronología de Real Madrid contra Girona futbol club will become a litmus test for title credentials. As a match-going fan, I love their ambition but doubt they'll ever dominate this matchup. Their squad depth can't handle Madrid's relentless pressure over 90 minutes.
That 4-0 drubbing in February proved it. Girona started strong but collapsed after Bellingham's goal. Typical young team mentality. Until they fix that, this timeline will remain decidedly white.
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