9 months ago
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Real Madrid can take a giant stride towards reclaiming the La Liga title when they host unlikely challengers Girona this weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti's men conceded a dramatic 93rd-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid last time out but still remain two points clear.
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Girona missed the opportunity to leapfrog Los Blancos after being held to a goalless stalemate against Real Sociedad.
Madrid outclassed Girona 3-0 when the two sides met in September, and the reverse meeting will be an even more daunting task without head coach Michel, who was sent off last weekend.
Jude Bellingham scored in that initial fixture, and another would take him clear of Blanquivermells talisman Artem Dovbyk.
The pair are currently level with Getafe's Borja Mayoral on 14 goals in the race for the La Liga Golden Boot.
Read more on Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid vs Girona: How to follow
This La Liga clash will take place on Saturday, February 10.
Kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu is scheduled for 5:30pm UK time.
The game will be broadcast on ITV4, with coverage starting at 5pm.
It will be shown free-to-air and you can also live stream it for free on ITVX.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will keep you up to date with the latest.
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Real Madrid vs Girona: Team news
The home side are sweating on the fitness of Vinicius Junior after a cervical issue consigned him to the bench against Atletico.
Antonio Rudiger is still struggling with a thigh injury, but Aurelien Tchouameni will be available again following suspension.
Eduardo Camavinga is also in line to return, but long-term absentee trio Eder Militao, David Alaba, and Thibaut Courtois remain out.
Girona also have players missing, with Juanpe, David Lopez, Joel Roca, and Toni Villa expected to be in the treatment room.
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Real Madrid vs Girona: What has been said?
Bellingham has been hailed for his 'mature' and skillful performances before being compared to a world-class striker.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Christian Karembeu told talkSPORT: “I hope he will continue. He’s one of the top scorers in Europe and in the world.
"I hope Jude Bellingham will continue his pathway because he has
shown his skills in the Bundesliga. He’s now in La Liga. We are very happy that he can do that at Real Madrid and hopefully, he will do the same when he comes to the England team.
“You can also mention Kylian Mbappe at that age who was also so mature. I think the new generation are very mature because they have also been away from home.
"He was in Germany trying to challenge himself in another country and another culture. Every time you go away home, you enrich yourself.
“Now, the performances in Madrid don’t surprise me because he has done that in the Bundesliga with Dortmund. So, now, the best result is to come [to Madrid] and I hope he will be a Champions League winner.”
