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Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid: Player Ratings
Real Madrid scraped past Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday night. Both sides missed chances aplenty and the scoreline does not do justice to the open game that unfolded on the night.
Carlo Ancelotti decided to bench Karim Benzema, given the hectic schedule ahead to help him return to 100% fitness. Needless to say, the team struggled in front of the goal without their captain.
Eder Militao’s goal was the difference between the two sides at full time. The win comes as a massive boost for Los Blancos ahead of El Clasico where they will hope to leapfrog past their arch rivals.
Madrid Universal brings you the player ratings from Real Madrid’s win over Getafe.
Andriy Lunin: 8
It was a special night for the Ukrainian international as he recorded his first clean sheet as a Real Madrid player. It was not for Lunin not being tested on the night but a solid display between the sticks that helped the team get just their first clean sheet of the domestic season. He made two saves, including one from inside the box on the night.
Daniel Carvajal: 7
After a relatively poor performance against Shakhtar, Carvajal returned to his best at the Coliseum. He bossed the right flank in attack and provided two key passes. Moreover, he was solid in defence with three clearances, an interception, two tackles and 100% tackles won.
Eder Militao: 9
The Brazilian was the difference maker against Getafe as he headed his team into an early lead just three minutes into the game. Over 83 minutes, he made a whopping 18 defensive actions in what was one of his best performances in a Real Madrid shirt.
Antonio Rudiger: 7
The former Chelsea man has found it difficult to see regular playing time under Carlo Ancelotti. He recieved just his fifth start of the league season last night and did not do much wrong. However, he was occasionally caught out of position, forcing Militao to cover up.
David Alaba: 6.5
The Austrian international started on the left side of the defensive four but was far from his best. While he did a good job of pocketing Damian Suarez and Borja Mayoral, he lost possession 18 times and finished the game with just 82% pass completion.
Luka Modric: 8
Coming back from injury, one would expect the 37-year-old to take some time to bring his body back into match rhythm. Yet, the Croat played like he suffered no setback and led Real Madrid’s midfield from the front. Completed 110 touches of the ball, made two key passes and created one big chance.
Aurelien Tchouameni: 8
In less than three months, Tchouameni has made Real Madrid fans completely forget Casemiro. As he has in all his games so far, the Frenchman held the fortress with resilience on Saturday, completing 11 defensive actions and 100% attempted long balls.
Eduardo Camavinga: 5.5
The French midfielder was touted to be the next big thing in Los Blancos’ midfield, but fans are quickly changing their opinion on Camavinga with every passing day.
As Ancelotti said earlier this season, the youngster is more effective coming off the bench as he lacks basic positioning and understanding of the team’s philosophy. Another sub-par display from Camavinga.
Federico Valverde: 7
Did brilliantly to find Rodrygo for Real Madrid’s second goal that was disallowed. Valverde was a constant nuisance to Getafe’s left-flank and forced Carles Alena and Enes Unal into deeper defensive roles. Took three shots, made three key passes and created one big chance on the night.
Rodrygo: 6.5
The young Brazilian got onto the scoresheet in the second half but had it ruled out for an offside move. Yet, one must appreciate his ability to finish off the half-chance with a cool head.
Rodrygo took five shots on the night but got only one was on target. Nevertheless, he was played out of position and did a decent job at covering for Karim Benzema.
Vinicius Jr: 7.5
Even when he doesnt score or assist, Vinicius is one of Real Madrid’s most influential players on the field. Both with and without the ball, the Brazilian serves as a thorn in the opposition’s feet and that was exactly what he did against Getafe. He attempted ten dribbles on the night, completing six and made three key passes. Furthermore, he was tenacious off the ball, winning 12 duels.
SUBSTITUTES
Nacho Fernandez: NA
Had just six touches, did not contribute much to the game.
Marco Asensio: 6.5
Played only 12 minutes, made one key pass, completed one dribble and came close to scoring.
Mariano Diaz: NA
Does not warrant a rating.
Real Madrid will walk down the tunnel of Santiago Bernabeu one last time this season on Sunday night. The men in white are pitted against Athletic Club on their final match-day, and the game will not be an easy affair by any means.
The Basque side sit in seventh place on the league standings with 50 points in 37 appearances. However, their qualification for the UEFA Conference League is in danger with Osasuna lurking close behind with an equal number of points.
Anything less than a win could prove insufficient for the visitors and it is clear that they arrive at Santiago Bernabeu with nothing less than a win on their agenda. Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Bilbao.
1. The end of an era for the number 9 shirt?
The grey area around Karim Benzema’s future has only widened in recent days. From a situation where his continuity at Real Madrid was taken for granted, it did not take long for the Frenchman’s story to enter a steep deviation.
An economically tempting proposal from Saudi Arabia had Benzema seriously contemplating a move away from Santiago Bernabeu, and reports stated that his departure from the Spanish club was close to complete.
The world, thus, looked in anticipation of his next official interaction with the media. The Ballon d’Or winner publicly addressed the topic for the first time earlier this week, and it is safe to say that his words gave nothing away.
Benzema neither confirmed nor completely refuted the rumours of his exit to the media. His situation is balanced on the blade of a knife and could tip in either direction.
In that sense, there is a good chance that tomorrow’s clash at Santiago Bernabeu is Karim Benzema’s final game for Real Madrid. If the striker does choose to change loyalties, it would mark the end of an era for the team’s number nine position.
It has been over a decade since the Frenchman took over the prestigious kit. He has played 647 games for the club so far in his career, scoring a stunning 353 goals in the process. Of them, 98 have been match-winning contributions.
2. A day of farewells
Earlier today, Real Madrid announced the departure of Marco Asensio from the club. The Spanish winger appears set to sign for PSG for the 2023-24 season and will bid adieu on Sunday. However, he will not be the only player playing his final game for the club tomorrow.
Nacho Fernandez has been a critical part of Real Madrid’s success in recent years but is another name close to sealing an exit. The defender is not satisfied with the playing time under his belt at the club and has not yet responded to the renewal offer on his table.
With his contract running out in less than 30 days, he appears closer to leaving than staying. One can expect an announcement from Nacho on Sunday night after the game at the Bernabeu, which could be his final game in white.
The situation with Dani Ceballos is quite similar. The Spanish midfielder is still undecided on his future, although there is still a slight chance he could continue at the club. Staying on the subject of players making their final appearance, however, he could be one on the list.
Away from the stories of incomplete renewal negotiations, Mariano Diaz is one player whose departure from the club is confirmed. Ferland Mendy, Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola and Eden Hazard are some of the other candidates well-placed to make departures, although nothing can be said for sure.
3. A tight race for second place
There is not much to play for on Sunday night except for the emotional tag of it being the season’s final game. Yet, the men in white will not be without an objective against Athletic Club.
Los Blancos sit on 77 points in 37 league appearances this season and just have a one-point lead over third-placed Atletico Madrid. Needless to say, they must be vary of their position on the standings for any complacency could see them drop down the ladder.
Diego Simeone’s men take on fifth-placed Villarreal at the same time as Real Madrid’s game against Athletic Club. Even if Carlo Ancelotti’s men settle for a draw against the Basque side, the second place would be Atletico Madrid’s to lose.
With both games kicking off simultaneously, there will be nerves throughout the ninety minutes in Madrid. One can only hope for action-filled games to keep the anxiety and adrenaline high.
