Real Madrid’s Girona rout a ‘big blow’ in title race – Ancelotti

Girona coach Míchel admitted his side “weren't in Real Madrid's league” after Madrid beat them 4-0 on Saturday, a result Carlo Ancelotti called “a big blow for the La Liga title.

Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu and Jude Bellingham scored a brace – before being substituted due to an ankle problem – with Rodrygo Goes making it 4-0, leaving leaders Madrid with five points ahead of Girona at the top of the ranking. .

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“We tried to stand up to them, but when Madrid are at their best, we can't do it,” Michel said in his post-match press conference. “The players gave everything, but [Madrid] were superior in duels. The games of [Eduardo] Camavinga, Vinicius, Bellingham… We are not at that level.”

“We are a growing club,” Michel said. “There are only four or five teams in the world that can fight with Real Madrid. When they play like today, it's difficult to stop them.

“Valence, [Real] Betis is our league. We are not in the Real Madrid league. We took points from Barcelona, ​​but they are not in our championship, Atlético Madrid are not in our championship. We will continue to work with humility. I think we are candidates to be in Europe.”

Míchel – who has allowed Girona to surprise contenders this season ahead of more established rivals like Barça – admitted Madrid are now likely to finish the campaign as champions.

“In a match anything can happen, but I had the feeling today that Madrid are very strong and if they continue at this level it will be difficult for them to lose points,” he said . Today, at no time did we have the feeling that we could win… Our level is not that of Real Madrid. We were in a dream and we are still in a dream.”

“It’s a big blow for the La Liga title,” Madrid coach Ancelotti said. “Girona are a very good team. They haven't lost away… We are in a good position, we have played well so far. We have an advantage but it's just that, a small advantage. “

Madrid's evening was marred by concerns over Bellingham – who have now scored 16 league goals this season – ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last 16 first leg against RB Leipzig.

“Bellingham twisted his ankle,” Ancelotti said. “It will be evaluated tomorrow. Hopefully he will be available for Tuesday… There are games that Bellingham didn't play and others did well, like Brahim. [Diaz]. I can't be more worried than I am today. Today we had four central defenders injured and we did well.”