Girona braced for politically-charged visit by champion

MADRID - After watching Barcelona cope ably with the distraction of political tension sweeping across Spain in recent weeks, it is Real Madrid's turn to head into the eye of the storm on Sunday when it travels to Girona.

It is the European champion's first trip to Catalonia since violence marred an independence referendum for the region on Oct 1, which has sparked weeks of political chaos.

The atmosphere surrounding Real's first ever top-flight visit to Girona, a heartland of pro-independence support, could be further intensified should the Spanish government follow through with plans to seize Catalonia's autonomous powers in an attempt to stave off a declaration of independence.