MADRID: Real Madrid’s first venture into Catalonia since the political storm over the region’s secession erupted ended in a shock 2-1 defeat by Girona.

Madrid decided not to use their usual team bus to try to avoid possible provocation of local feeling in a town where the Spanish flag was removed from local government buildings after Catalan leaders declared independence on Friday.

Isco handed the lead to Madrid, who go to Wembley to play Tottenham in the Champions League on Wednesday, after 12 minutes but Girona hit back after the break through Cristhian Stuani (54) and Portu (58).

Madrid are third in the league, eight points behind Barcelona who won 2-0 away to Bilbao on Saturday thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and PAulinho and the goalkeeping brilliance of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

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