Daley Blind had an off day on Saturday evening in the top match against Real Madrid. Girona lost 0-3 and the Dutchman was singled out as the dissonant of the team in the Spanish media.
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SPORT distributed six passing grades to the players of Girona, but Blind's score was notably the lowest. He received a 3 and was held responsible for two conceded goals. 'The experienced defender lived up to his surname. Although he had started the season well, he made two mistakes by missing the ball, which is unbecoming of a player of his caliber.'
Mundo Deportivo came to the same conclusion. The Spanish newspaper wrote that Blind was too slow during the first conceded goal and also did not look good in the second. 'He was bypassed by Bellingham in a very dangerous attack and also failed in the air during the 2-0.'
The Catalan L'Esportiu wrote that Blind allowed himself to be drawn out of the center too easily. 'And he again had problems defending the space behind him. He was fine with the ball, but his lack of speed was evident against the attackers of Real Madrid.'
'The goal by Bellingham highlighted Blind's shortcomings,' wrote La Vanguardia in an article specifically dedicated to Blind. 'He was bypassed as if he wasn’t there. You see a lack of reaction speed in the experienced Dutch central defender, the weak link of Girona. Blind is somewhat illustrious in the football world, in terms of his career and due to the legacy of his father, but in the end, he has never truly been a top player.'
TV2 also pinpointed Blind as the weak link in Girona on Saturday evening. 'Overall, the 33-year-old defender did not have his best evening. At the first goal, he couldn't catch up in speed and a moment later, he let his man go, allowing Aurélien Tchouaméni to extend the lead.' With the victory, Real Madrid took over the top position from Girona, which has now slipped to third place.
Updated: 11:16, 1 Oct 2023
