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Three talking points from Real Madrid 2-1 Getafe
After holding defending champions Barcelona to a 0-0 draw on Matchday 1, Getafe came determined to replicate their success against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Jose Bordalas’ men adopted a similar strategy on the afternoon, resorting to a low block and frustrating the Real Madrid players through incessant fouls.
They appeared to have got it their way, as the scoreboard read 1-1 even as the fourth official signalled nine minutes of extra time.
As has been the case numerous times in the past, however, Real Madrid found a way to comeback in the dying minutes. The saviour, once again, was Jude Bellingham.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points from Real Madrid 2-1 Getafe.
Take a bow, David Soria
Earlier this summer, Andriy Lunin appeared to be close to sealing a departure from Real Madrid, leaving the club with no backup goalkeeper. In their hunt for a new shot-stopper, one of the first names that popped up was that of David Soria.
Los Blancos have come a long way since then, with Courtois injuring his ACL and Kepa Arrizabalaga coming in as a replacement.
Yet, Soria arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon and showed the world exactly why he was so high up Real Madrid’s wishlist.
The 30-year-old Getafe goalkeeper put up a ridiculous show in between the sticks for Jose Bordalas’ side and single-handedly kept his team in the game against Real Madrid.
He was, in fact, very close to saving two points for his team through his heroics, but fell short after Jude Bellingham pounced on his only mistake deep into extra time.
Despite conceding two goals, Soria was phenomenal and recorded a staggering ten saves against Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Of them, seven saves came from shots taken from inside the box.
Real Madrid could have had at least five goals to their name had another goalkeeper been in the 30-year-old’s place. Credit where it is due, Soria was perhaps the best of the 22 players on the field and deserves every bit of the attention he is receiving.
Modric and Kroos have still got it
Luka Modric started his first game of the season for Real Madrid against Getafe and was deployed as a central midfielder alongside Eduardo Camavinga.
The Croatian dictated the flow of the game from the very first minute. At 37 years of age, he showed no signs of slowing down as he matched the youngsters shoulder-to-shoulder for pace and stamina.
Modric regularly opened up the Getafe defence with his genius lobbed passes and even came close to scoring himself with a firmly-struck header.
His game only transcended to a whole new level after Ancelotti introduced Kroos in the second half. Reunited on the field for 45 minutes, the veteran duo ran the show for Real Madrid and proved to the world that they still have the magic in their veins.
With Modric and Kroos running the engine, Los Blancos’ play saw a tangible improvement in speed and penetration. The men in white began creating chances for fun, as can be seen statistically.
Real Madrid recorded 18 shots in the second half as compared to eight in the first period. They also recorded double the number of big chances, double the xG tally, and hit the woodwork thrice after the break.
The Star Boy
What can be said about Jude Bellingham at this point? There is magic, there is sorcery, and then there is what the Englishman is doing at Real Madrid.
To score on debut for a club of the Galacticos’ stature is gargantuan. Getting on the scoresheet on each of your first four games for the club is an indication of greatness.
Bellingham’s late goal against Jose Bordalas’ side on Saturday afternoon sealed his team’s 2-1 win over Getafe. In the process, he became the only player after Cristiano Ronaldo to score in each of his first four games for the Merengues.
To top it all, the youngster even provided three key passes, completed one dribble, and completed four defensive actions on the afternoon.
With every passing game, Bellingham is turning into a more finely sharpened weapon in Carlo Ancelotti’s artillery.
Not only has he taken over the responsibility of creating openings but also those of scoring goals and facilitating the buildup. The €103 million the Merengues spent on his signing no longer appears to be of any significance.
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.
