Girona vs Real Madrid is more than just another LaLiga fixture – it’s a high-pressure trip to Montilivi where Xabi Alonso’s side know that any mistake could cost them in the title race. Real Madrid arrive as favourites, but Girona’s urgency, home support and aggressive style make this exactly the kind of away game champions have to manage carefully.
Alonso’s men arrive with confidence after a thrilling run of results, yet also with the clear understanding that any slip could open the door for their rivals. Girona, desperate for points and pride, will treat this like a final in front of their home fans.
Alonso’s Real Madrid chasing a “professional” win
For Alonso, this fixture isn’t just about three points – it’s about control, maturity and sending out a message.
Madrid have produced some spectacular attacking football this season, at times blowing opponents away with the pace and quality of their front line. But the coaching staff are fully aware that titles are usually won in tough, awkward games like this one, where patience and concentration can matter more than flair.
Expect Madrid to start with purpose, looking to silence the Montilivi crowd early by dominating possession and forcing Girona deep. At the same time, Alonso will demand balance: no unnecessary risks, no cheap transitions conceded, and a focus on defending as a unit whenever the ball is lost.
A calm, professional performance with a ruthless edge in both penalty areas is exactly what the coach wants to see.
Key roles for Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham
All eyes will naturally turn to Real Madrid’s stars in attack.
Kylian Mbappé will be central to the game plan. His pace in behind and ability to stretch defences could be decisive against a Girona back line that has struggled whenever opponents run at them directly. If Madrid’s midfield can release him early with direct passes into space, Mbappé will constantly threaten the hosts.
Alongside him, Vinícius Júnior offers that unpredictable spark. Cutting in from the left, driving at defenders and drawing fouls around the box, Vini’s one-v-one ability can turn a tight game in seconds. Girona will almost certainly double up on him, which in turn could create gaps for Mbappé or a late-arriving midfielder.
Between the lines, Jude Bellingham remains the glue. His timing of runs into the box, his pressing intensity and his leadership without the ball give Madrid another layer in attack and a crucial presence in midfield. If Girona sit too deep, Bellingham’s late movement can be the difference; if they press high, his composure in tight spaces will help Madrid break lines.
Midfield control and defensive focus
For all Madrid’s attacking power, Alonso knows the battle will be decided in the centre of the pitch.
A combination of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde gives Madrid energy, aggression and technical quality. Their job will be to win second balls, protect the back four and start attacks quickly. If they can dominate the middle third, Madrid will spend most of the night playing in Girona’s half.
At the back, Real Madrid must stay switched on from the first minute to the last. Montilivi may not be the biggest stadium, but it is always intense. One lapse in concentration at a set piece or one sloppy pass out from the back could invite Girona back into the game and fire up the crowd.
Clean sheets win titles, and this is exactly the kind of away fixture where a solid defensive display can be almost as valuable as a big scoreline.
What Girona will try to do
Girona may be fighting near the bottom, but they are not a side that simply sits back and accepts their fate.
At home, they will press when they can, look for quick breaks, and try to test Madrid’s back line with crosses, cut-backs and shots from the edge of the box. Expect them to target transitions whenever Madrid lose the ball high up the pitch, especially down the flanks if the full-backs push forward.
For Real Madrid, the warning is clear: do not underestimate the opponent, do not give away cheap turnovers, and do not allow the Montilivi crowd to grow in belief.
What’s at stake for Real Madrid?
From an RMxtra point of view, this game feels like a quiet turning point in the season.
- A win keeps Alonso’s side firmly in control of their destiny in LaLiga.
- A convincing performance would strengthen the feeling that this team can handle pressure away from home.
- Another big night for Mbappé, Vinícius or Bellingham would only add to the growing confidence around this project.
Drop points, however, and questions will quickly reappear: about managing game states, about focus after Champions League nights, and about the ability to turn dominance on paper into results on the pitch.
That’s why Montilivi matters. It’s not a final, but it is exactly the kind of fixture champions look back on in May and say: that’s where we quietly did our job.
If Alonso’s Real Madrid show their quality, discipline and killer instinct, they will leave Girona with three crucial points – and another small step taken towards their LaLiga goal.