5 Reasons why Real Madrid lost to Girona

#2 Eusebio Sacristan's tactical ingenuity

Girona FC v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Girona pulled off one of the greatest victories in their history and a lot of credit should go to their manager Eusebio Sacristan for his shrewd tactical changes as well as gameplay.

Eusebio had a distinct playing career (although some way off his more legendary Portuguese namesake), winning multiple titles at Barcelona (where he was one of Johan Cruyff's most trusted players) and made a total of 543 LaLiga appearances which is the third highest of all time behind Andoni Zubizaretta and Raul Gonzalez.

Since retirement, he has gone on into management to less success and was appointed as Girona manager at the start of the season to replace the Sevilla bound Pablo Machin.

Eusebio had large boots to fill owing to Machin's impressive four-year spell at Girona and he has gone about his job effectively, notably getting a draw at the Nou Camp earlier on in the season.

Against Real Madrid, he deserves special praise for his introductions at half-time, bringing on the highly rated Alex Garcia for the ineffectual Pere Pons, while also bringing on Anthony Lozano for Pedro Porro and changing the team's shape, which proved to be a master stroke, as the piar had an impact on the game.

His decision to move Portu onto the right wing also came in handy, as he was a constant thorn in the flesh of Marcelo for the entirety of the second half, while he also encouraged his team to increase the pressure and intensity on a flustered Real Madrid in the second half.

Real Madrid very much ended the first half on a high, but Eusebio Sacristan's tactical ingenuity proved to be too much for Santiago Solari's men and was a major reason for Giron pulling off this shock victory.