Arda Guler was substituted at half-time as Real Madrid lost their lead against Girona. The match ended in a 1-1 draw on Sunday evening.
What happened?
Real Madrid faced Girona away in the 14th week of La Liga. Arda Guler played for 45 minutes in the match.
Why the substitution?
Xabi Alonso substituted Arda Guler due to his failure to correct his position during Girona's goal and several crucial ball losses. Alonso explained the reason for the change to Guler before bringing Camavinga into the game.
Arda Guler failed to deliver the playmaking skills that Xabi Alonso expected of him for Real Madrid. He did not perform well against Girona, and this has been the case in the last few matches.
Reaction from the press
Spanish journalist Tomás Roncero said the draw was unfair, and Madrid were much better in the second half. He also commented that Xabi Alonso's substitution stifled Arda Guler's inspiration.
The Spanish press argued that Real Madrid's play became sterile after Arda Guler was taken off. Football Espana stated that Arda Guler made a meaningful effort to get involved in the game before being substituted at half-time.
Mundo Deportivo reported that the Turkish player only played in the first half, where he appeared controlled and reluctant. Diaro stated that the Turkish midfielder failed to deliver the expected performance in his position.
What's next for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid's struggles in the league continued, with the team failing to win their last three La Liga matches. They have secured only one victory in their last five matches across all competitions, causing Los Blancos to slip to second place, one point behind Barcelona.
The five-point lead at the top has all but evaporated. Xabi Alonso's side will look to bounce back from this draw and regain their lead in the league. Arda Guler will aim to improve his performance and deliver the playmaking skills expected of him by Xabi Alonso.