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Real Madrid 2-1 Getafe: Player Ratings
After three wins on the road, Real Madrid stepped onto their home grass for the first time this season today afternoon. And, they extended their winning run to four with a 2-1 victory, thanks to Jude Bellingham’s late winner.
The game at the Santiago Bernabeu saw Los Blancos put sweat and blood tirelessly to crank open a tight defence. Jose Bordalas’ men, however, kept the hosts under pressure with their physicality and constantly got on their nerves with regular challenges.
The goalscoring on the afternoon was opened by Borja Mayoral in the eleventh minute after a moment of madness in the Real Madrid defence. Real Madrid only found a response after half-time when Joselu pounced on a half-chance to bet his first goal of the season.
As they pushed and probed for a winner – striking the woodwork twice – it was that man, Bellingham, once again, coming up with the goods with a late winner in stoppage time.
Madrid Universal brings you the player ratings from Santiago Bernabeu’s first game of the season.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: 6.5
The shot-stopper was relatively undisturbed in his first start at the Bernabeu. Made a great save before the hour mark to deny Carles Alena.
Dani Carvajal: 6
The Spanish defender dished out a good showing for Los Blancos, albeit starkly different in both halves. Carvajal played the opening period in a more defensive role but ventured forward with more freedom after Nacho came on at half-time.
Came painfully close to scoring after the 60-minute mark but was unlucky to hit the post.
Antonio Rudiger: 6
Known for his brutal physicality and tackles, Rudiger met his match in Jose Bordalas’ side. Going up against La Liga’s most physical outfit, he looked far less dominant than usual.
Was lucky to get away without a red card for his dangerous challenge on Mayoral.
David Alaba: 6.5
The Austrian was shakily solid for Los Blancos. He got the job done for large parts of the game to keep Getafe out but appeared clearly out of sync with his partner, Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba was also directly involved in the mess-up that led to Mayoral’s opener. He moved to left-back in the second half after Nacho took over duties at centre-back.
Fran Garcia: 5.5
The left-back endured a torrid start as he was directly involved in Getafe’s opener with a horror misplaced pass. Garcia eventually regained his confidence and was better from the second half of the first period. Unlucky to not get an assist for his ball to Joselu.
Aurelien Tchouameni: 7
Starting at the heart of midfield, Tchouameni delivered a masterclass as the pivot. Firmly resisted and cut off any Getafe counters at the root while also providing key passes to crank open their defence.
Luka Modric: 8.5
The Croatian wizard earned his first start of the season at the refurbished Santiago Bernabeu and wove his magic through Bordalas’ side.
Modric was at the centre of every Real Madrid chance and even came close to scoring through a bullet header in the first half. He was the engineer who eventually managed to open up Getafe’s defence after half-time, feeding the ball into the box for Joselu’s equaliser.
Eduardo Camavinga: 8
The French prodigy was victim to many of Getafe’s challenges in the middle of the park but stood up bravely to face the adversity. Completed three key passes and one dribble in his 45 minutes.
Jude Bellingham: 9.5
The wonder boy was no less magical against Getafe than he was in his first three games for the club. Making his home debut, he was at the centre of every Real Madrid attack, especially in the first half.
Late in extra time, it was once again the newcomer who struck gold for Los Blancos to take home three points. Star signing like none other.
Bellingham impressed the Bernabeu with his composure on the ball, vision and pass precision. Completed three key passes and a dribble.
Rodrygo: 7.5
The Brazilian was inspired against Bordalas’ side but just could not find the finishing touch. Recorded three shots blocked and one shot on target while also orchestrating the build-up play in the final third.
Joselu: 8.5
On another day, Joselu would have a hat-trick against his name. Unluckily for him, he was up against one of La Liga’s most in-form goalkeepers today.
He recorded three shots on target but had one volley and a sliding shot denied by David Soria. Scored Real Madrid’s equaliser with a simple finish and was a constant threat in Getafe’s area.
Substitutes
Toni Kroos: 8.5
The German maestro came on at half-time and hit the post through a screamer just seven minutes later. He attempted to put away the rebound but was denied by David Soria.
Kroos’ introduction changed the tempo of Real Madrid’s game significantly and opened the door for him to return as a regular starter.
Nacho Fernandez: 6.5
Came on at half-time and was solid both defensively and with his distribution.
Brahim Diaz: 6
Reliable on the ball, but was not given enough space and time to weave his magic.
Lucas Vazquez: 6
A lively presence on the right wing in the final ten minutes, picking up from where Carvajal left off.
Federico Valverde: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
The heartbreak at Civitas Metropolitano saw Real Madrid drop down to third on the La Liga standings for the first time this season. They now sit on 15 points from six games, only one point behind leaders Barcelona.
Yet, there is barely time for the team to recover. Less than 72 hours after their defeat, the Merengues play host to Las Palmas in the seventh Matchday of La Liga in a tricky fixture.
Garcia Pimienta’s side have improved leaps and bounds in recent times, although their start to the new season has been far from positive.
Las Palmas were winless in their first five league games but picked up a first win in their most recent outing against Granada.
With the visitors coming off their first win and the hosts their first loss, it will be interesting to see how the game of momentum plays out.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Wednesday’s clash at Santiago Bernabeu.
The important reaction
Having secured six wins in six games under their belt, the threat of breaking the moment was always lurking around the corner from Real Madrid. After all, their wins to that point were not always convincing.
Jude Bellingham’s magic, Joselu’s constant threat and the talented midfield helped Los Blancos on their way to scrappy wins over the weeks. Yet, it was always glaringly clear that they had deficiencies in defence and the final third.
All of Real Madrid’s troubles came to the forefront on Sunday and were left glaringly exposed. The end result was a defeat that left a bitter taste in the mouths of players and fans.
Despite facing their first setback of the season, however, the men in white have no time to lament. After all, the hectic schedule leaves them little time between games.
It is thus of utmost importance that Real Madrid does not slip into a vicious state of negative momentum. As they face off against Las Palmas midweek, Carlo Ancelotti’s side needs a strong and dominant win to keep spirits high.
Considering that they will be back at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid will be the favourites by far on the night. Nevertheless, there will be pressure on the players to take all three points.
Limelight on the manager
The aftermath of the defeat to Atletico Madrid sent ripples through the Spanish media. It was reported that the Real Madrid board was not entirely happy with the list of ‘sins’ committed by Ancelotti in the clash at Civitas Metropolitano.
It thus goes without saying that the limelight will be on the manager on Wednesday.
For starters, the Italian gaffer must get the starting lineup right and not go overboard with his rotations. Aurelien Tchouameni is a must for the Merengues’ defensive efforts and must be introduced back into the lineup midweek.
Moreover, there will be pressure on him to revert to the winning 4-4-2 diamond formation featuring two natural forwards including a striker.
With Joselu returning to the lineup, Jude Bellingham must shift back to his more comfortable attacking midfield role.
Moreover, the manager must strike the right balance between youth and experience, for both Toni Kroos and Luka Modric can no longer start together.
Perhaps the most important job Ancelotti is faced with, however, is in defence. Both David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger appeared lost in the last game, and it remains to be seen if the manager ropes Nacho Fernandez in to strike a better dynamic.
Return of the magician
While Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao are amongst Real Madrid’s most valuable players, it is Vinicius Jr’s injury that hit the club the hardest.
The Merengues unfortunately have a very thin and fragile forward line this season with just three players competing for two spots. Of the three names, Vinicius is the single most important one.
The Brazilian star may not have started the 2023-24 season at his optimal level considering his altered role in the new formation. Yet, he is the Merengues’ most lethal weapon to break open defences and create chances.
The men in white have had problems since the Selecao star hobbled off the field injured against Celta Vigo.
Their games against Getafe and Union Berlin were both down to last-gasp winners, while the defeat to Atletico Madrid showed everything wrong with the team.
Vinicius Jr is set to make his return in tomorrow’s clash at Santiago Bernabeu, and there could be no better news for Ancelotti.
