Mbappe collapses, Girona's statement makes Real Madrid furious

Kylian Mbappe's collision in the penalty area sparked public outcry, but a statement from Girona shifted the controversy to a completely different direction.

The match between Real Madrid and Girona took place under the pressure of the Bernabéu hosts following a series of unsatisfactory results. Despite being rated superior, Coach Arbeloa's squad displayed a lack of vitality, particularly in finishing as opportunities were repeatedly missed.

Names like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior had clear chances but failed to capitalize. It was only in the 51st minute that Federico Valverde broke the deadlock. However, the home team's joy did not last long, and the subsequent developments along with the controversial incident at the end became the notable focal point.

Just 11 minutes after the opening goal, Thomas Lemar equalized 1-1 with a classy finish. The remaining time witnessed Real Madrid's efforts to press forward, but their inefficiency in finishing prevented them from finding a decisive goal.

The match's focal point arrived in the final minutes, when Kylian Mbappe fell in the penalty area after a collision with Vitor Reis. Despite fierce protests from the home team, the referee still said no to the penalty. This decision made the atmosphere on the field tense and led to many debates after the match.

Speaking after the match, Girona's coach Michel Sanchez could not hide his satisfaction: “Today was not easy at all. Madrid played better and created many opportunities, but we were extremely resilient in defense. With 38 points, we are now just 4 points away from our survival target. This is an important step forward.”

When asked about Mbappe's incident, he shared candidly: “I was too far away to observe clearly, but Vitor Reis told me it was just a normal challenge and he had gained the advantage beforehand. The match was very clean and had few fouls.” This viewpoint somewhat supports the referee's decision.

Notably, despite having just held Real Madrid, this strategist still gave positive words to the opponent: “I feel Real Madrid has enough potential to turn the tide against Bayern Munich. I hope they will advance for the glory of Spanish football.” This draw not only extended Real's streak of three matches without a win but also sounded a warning bell ahead of the rematch with Bayern Munich in the Champions League.