A deep cross from the left towards the far post flies out of play and Lunin breathes a sigh of relief.

Andriy Lunin hasn't had much to do so far but his clearance flies straight out for a Girona throw-in inside the Real half.

The goalkeeper raises his hand in apology as Girona attempt to launch an attack of their own.

Nacho plays the ball inside to Vinicius Junior, who is stopped in his tracks by Oriol Romeu.

Girona try to play their way out of trouble at the back but quickly surrender possession to the visitors.

Marco Asensio whips in another corner, which is only half cleared towards Toni Kroos.

The German's effort is blocked and Girona eventually clear their lines.

Fast start by Real, as you'd expect.

The visitors are monopolising possession, with Girona struggling to get out of their own half at the moment.

Carlo Ancelotti's team almost take the lead inside the opening minute!

Luka Modric twists and turns on the edge of the area before picking out Rodrygo, whose back-heel is deflected narrowly wide by Juanpe.

The resulting corner comes to nothing.

Off we go. Can Real keep their faint title hopes alive with a win?

Carlo Ancelotti has beaten 25 of the 26 opponents he has faced as Real Madrid coach in La Liga, failing only to beat Girona.

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The two teams emerge from the Municipal de Montilivi tunnel.

Kick-off is very nearly upon us.

Girona have only lost two of their five games against Real Madrid in La Liga (W2 D1), 6-3 at the Santiago Bernabéu in March 2018 and 4-1 in August 2018.

Following a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture, Girona could become the first newly promoted side to avoid defeat home and away against Real Madrid in a single La Liga season since Levante in 2017/18.

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Former Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu starts for Girona this evening.

Image source, BBC Sport

If Real win this evening, Barcelona will have the chance to restore their 11-point advantage at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night.

Girona, meanwhile, are on course for a mid-table finish in their first season back in Spain’s top flight, having achieved promotion via the La Liga 2 play-offs last term.

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Carlo Ancelotti makes five changes to the Real Madrid side that defeated Celta Vigo at the weekend.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out with gastroenteritis and is replaced by Andriy Lunin, who makes his seventh Liga start of the season.

Toni Kroos and Luka Modric come back into the side, as do Dani Carvajal and Rodrygo.

Karim Benzema misses out with a minor muscle issue.

Real Madrid XI: Lunin, Nacho, Militao, Rudiger, Carvajal, Valverde, Modric, Kroos, Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior

Subs: Lopez, De Luis, Vallejo, Camavinga, Odriozola, Vazquez, Tchouameni, Mariano, Martin, Arribas

Girona also make five changes to the side beaten at Real Valladolid on Saturday.

Santiago Bueno and Valentin Castellanos return from suspension, with Miguel Gutierrez, Yan Couto and Rodrigo Riquelme also restored.

Girona XI: Gazzaniga, Miguel, Arnau, Tsygankov, Castellanos, Juanpe, Riquelme, Romeu, Couto, Bueno, Martin

Subs: Carlos, Espinosa, Stuani, Fernandez, Hernandez, Jesus, Callens, Guidias, Artero

Welcome along to our live text coverage of Girona v Real Madrid, which gets under way in just 15 minutes’ time.

Let’s get straight to the team news…

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Eleven points.

With eight games left to play, Real Madrid’s hopes of overhauling Barcelona at the top of La Liga look slim at best.

Xavi’s team have an 11-point lead over the reigning champions, who can cut that gap to eight with victory at Girona this evening.

For Real, there is no margin for error.