Girona's Castellanos scores 4 goals past champions Real Madrid

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Apr 2023 23:41

Castellanos exposes gaps in Madrid's defense ahead of their Champions League semi-final tie against Manchester City in May.

Girona's Argentinian forward Taty Castellanos celebrates his fourth goal during the win over Real Madrid (AFP)

Girona striker Taty Castellanos hit an incredible four goals as his team beat champions Real Madrid 4-2 in La Liga on Tuesday, helping leaders Barcelona come closer to the trophy.

Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid are 11 points behind Barcelona having played one extra match, with this defeat virtually diminishing any hope they had remaining of defending the title.

Castellanos, on loan at Girona from New York City FC, exposed gaps in Madrid's defense ahead of their Champions League semi-final tie against Manchester City in May.

"It was a dream night, we had a great game against one of the best teams in the world, it was a dream night," he expressed.

"It was a dream to score against Madrid and to score four -- you can't even imagine it," he added.

Castellanos now has 11 goals in La Liga this season in 29 appearances.

"A tough night, yes, when you lose a game like that it's a tough night," Ancelotti indicated.

The Italian said that "on a defensive level it was a bad game, and that was the key to the match... the individual level was lower than normal too."

Ancelotti was hampered by striker Karim Benzema's leg injury during the team's win over Celta Vigo at the weekend, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did not travel because of a stomach problem among other absentees.