Real Madrid have been slammed by the Spanish media after their humbling 4-2 loss at Girona on Tuesday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men went into the match trying to close the gap to LaLiga leaders Barcelona to keep their slim title chances alive, but were comfortably beaten by their mid-table opponents.
Valentin Castellanos was the star of the show for Girona, scoring all four of their goals, while Madrid could only respond through a first-half Vinicius Jr strike and a late Lucas Vazquez tap-in.
Marca did not hold back in their criticism of the performance as they went with the headline ‘disconnection and embarrassment’.
They hit out at the team’s defensive attitude, singling out Brazilian centre back Eder Militao for his display, while Ancelotti apologised to fans in the aftermath after admitting his side did not play anywhere near their best.
Marca labelled Real Madrid’s 4-2 defeat at Girona on Tuesday night an ’embarrassment’
Sport went with the headline ‘humiliation’ as Madrid failed to close the gap to Barcelona
Valentin Castellanos scored four goals, and AS claimed he had his Girona team-mates had a ‘party’
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are now in danger of being caught by third-placed Atletico Madrid
Sport were even more damning, going with the simple headline ‘humiliation’, insisting that Madrid had ‘surrendered’ the league title after their ‘debacle in Girona’.
Meanwhile, AS focused more on Girona’s triumph, claiming the underdogs had a ‘party’, with Castellanos becoming the first player in the 21st century to score four goals in a single game against Madrid.
They also took aim at Los Blancos’ ‘invisible defence’, and stated the team had now resigned themselves to losing their LaLiga title this season.
Madrid now find themselves 11 points behind Barcelona having played a game more, and will be looking nervously over their shoulder at third-placed Atletico Madrid who are just five points back with a game in hand.
It was also an untimely setback for the Spanish giants as they look to build momentum ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash with Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in over two months and are chasing a historic Treble, while Madrid appear fragile after their latest loss.
The first leg between the two sides at the Santiago Bernabeu is just two weeks away, with the return match eight days later at the Etihad Stadium.
