Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid show Girona that La Liga may just be a one horse race
CBSN
A 4-0 humbling of Girona has Los Blancos as the clear-cut favorites to win the league
No center backs, no problem for Real Madrid as they saw off Girona with a 4-0 victory to go five points clear atop La Liga on Saturday. Missing Antonio Ruidiger and Nacho Fernandez, Carlo Ancelotti had to roll out an unorthodox defense centrally, pairing natural right back Dani Carvajal with midfielder Aurelen Tchouameni. A brace from Jude Bellingham, a goal, and three assists from Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo capping things off with a goal, it ended up being quite an easy victory for Los Blancos against the league's most surprising side.
A makeshift defense didn't allow Girona to register a shot on goal and held them to an xG of 0.13, which is exactly the way to flex your supremacy atop the league. Ancelotti was without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and center backs Eder Militao, David Alaba, Rudiger, and Fernandez, but the trio that was key to Madrid's success was present. Bellingham's brace sends him top of the La Liga Golden Boot race ahead of Girona man Artem Dovbyk with 16 goals in only 21 matches while Vini Jr. and Rodrygo had their way.
The 20-year-old Bellingham has had a debut season for the ages with Real Madrid and not only could he lead them to a La Liga title, but Bellingham will also be key for Madrid in Champions League play. In the 12 league matches that Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vini Jr. have played together, Madrid have scored 26 goals, conceding five and picking up 32 points. In the 12 matches where one has missed, Madrid have still scored 26 goals but Los Blancos conceded five but picked up three fewer points. It may seem like a marginal difference but that's how they're now more than a game ahead of Girona in the league.
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