Marco Asensio scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid beat Getafe on Saturday night.
Karim Benzema was given the night off and Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Vinicius Júnior made substitute appearances as Asensio struck from range to mathematically keep Real in the La Liga title race, although Barcelona were ahead on Sunday night. Can confirm location.
Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI was decided with the second leg at Manchester City in the Champions League in mind. Eight changes were made, including a rare start for Eden Hazard, and the lack of cohesion was evident.
There was also a return to fitness for Ferland Mendy. Eduardo Camavinga has been forced to fill in at left-back in recent weeks, but the availability of his compatriot means that place at the Etihad is certain to be up for grabs next week.
It was difficult to get solid chances in the first half. Asensio almost connected with a Lucas Vazquez cross that curled into the six yard box.
Half time came and went and Real had only one shot on target. their mathematical chances of winning Laliga would end with none other than victory, but the game remained goalless by the hour mark.
By that point Kruse had entered the fray, replacing the returning Mendy as Camavinga again edged wide.
Getafe showed positive intent on the break as Thibaut Courtois was called into action. A fierce strike from Juan Iglesias on the right from the edge of the area required the big Belgian to keep the ball over the top.
Soon after, Asensio struck to give Real the lead.
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The Spain international was given space to cut inside and work an angle, unleashing a shot that took a slight deflection to creep in at the near post.
Substitutes Mariano Díaz and Vinicius Júnior later combined to stick the ball in the back of the net, but the celebration was curtailed by an inverted flag.
Asensio would have added a second to his tally if David Soria had denied the Real forward a brace at the back post.
The win moves Los Blancos into second place in La Liga above Atlético Madrid, although a similar XI is likely to be used in the final few weeks of the season if Ancelotti’s side reach the Champions League final.
The second leg with City is the next game for Real, while Getafe remain in the relegation zone with only four games left.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 7/10 – Was on full alert to deny Iglesias’ powerful hit attempt. A calm and collected presence at the back.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – 8/10 – A lively spark throughout the attack for Real, who were struggling to get into full gear. Played the ball in to whip Asensio in for the only goal of the game.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – 7/10 – Used the ball safely and did not lose the dogfight. Good performance while Alaba and Rudiger were rested.
CB: Eder Militao – 7/10 – Returned to the starting XI and was strong in defence, making two tackles, a clearance and an interception.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 7/10 – First appearance in nearly two months for the Frenchman. Rarely tested from behind and stopped in half the time.
Chief Minister: Dani Ceballos – 5/10 – Wanted to add an attacking threat from midfield but his shooting boots weren’t on.
CM: Aurelien Tchoumeni – 8/10 – Getafe had little answer for Choumeni, who breezed past opposition challenges with ease and lost only four of his 97 passes.
Chief Minister: Eduardo Camavinga – 7/10 – Good performance but seems to have got hurt before sinking. A nervous wait may have to be faced before Wednesday.
RW: Federico Valverde – 7/10 – Couldn’t always inspire fluidity in Real’s attack, but linked up well with Vazquez on occasion and his resolute work rate was evident.
ST: Marco Asensio – 8/10 – Took responsibility and finally scored the winner from range. There could be important choices off the bench next week.
LW: Eden Hazard – 6/10 – Handed a rare start and was not lacking in effort but definitely had some chemistry with his teammates.
substitute player
Toni Kroos (46′ for Mendy) – 7/10
Mariano Diaz (61′ for Ceballos) – 6/10
Vinicius Junior (61′ for Hazard) – 7/10
Luka Modric (61′ for Valverde) – 7/10
Alvaro Odriozola (84′ for Camavinga) – NA
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti – 6/10 – Made several changes with an eye firmly on the Return City game, so there was a lack of flow in the points.
gk: David Soria (6); rb: Juan Iglesias (6), cb: Stefan Mitrovic (6), cb: Omar Alderete (7) LB: Gaston Alvarez (6); cm: Carles Alina (6), cm: genera daconum (7), cm: Nemanja Maksimovic (6); rw: Cristian Portu (6), scheduled tribe: Borja Mayoral (5), lm: Jaime Mata (6)
substitute player: Angel Algobia (6), Munir Al Haddadi (6), Fabrizio Anglieri (6), Jaime Cione (6), Jordan Amavi (N/A).
Player of the match – Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)
