Real Madrid vs. Getafe score, stats, result, talking points, highlights as Blancos lose ground in La Liga title race

Over-reliance on Vinicius Jr. results in waste of other Real Madrid talents

It’s no surprise that without an injured Kylian Mbappe, Madrid would lean on their other attacking superstar Vinicius Jr. However, Alvaro Arbeloa’s complete lack of any tactical plan beyond “hope Vini does some cool stuff” means occasionally the attack will look flat, as it did today.

Normally, that’s fine to deal with, but in a title race against Barcelona with razor-thin margins, Madrid cannot afford to have misfires like they did today.

It’s even more painful to watch as talented attacking pieces like Gonzalo Garcia and Trent Alexander-Arnold are completely wasted on the opposite flank. As Vini Jr. gobbles up the touches in possession, Garcia and Alexander-Arnold are left to feed on scraps, leaving their ability to contribute at a minimum.

Telling of the heavy left-sided preference for Real Madrid is Arda Guler’s heat map. While he is heavily shaded to the right side in the defensive third and middle third of the pitch, he has a heavy number of touches on the left flank in the attacking third, needing to switch sides when the ball is carried forward in order to influence the match.

Arbeloa will need to reconfigure this team if it wishes to be more balanced, but the question now is: do they want to be more balanced? Or, in the wake of sacking a tactician like Xabi Alonso for a vibes-friendly Arbeloa, would they rather put the weigh on Vinicius Jr. and let him carry the club as far as he can? After today, that does not seem wise.

Real Madrid’s vulnerability to frustration will be their undoing

Despite the lack of tactical plan or ability to adjust to in-game situations, Real Madrid are still talented enough to pull themselves out of deficits, if only they could keep their wits about them.

Unfortunately, today that proved not to be the case.

As the game dragged on and Getafe frustrated Madrid with physicality and play-stopping tactics, Madrid players grew increasingly frustrated, which detracted from their ability to stay focused on the ultimate goal. Vinicius Jr. was apoplectic at the officiating, which while occasionally frustrating was not the cause of their demise. He received a yellow card for a brainless moment of anger, and lost his head after the final whistle.

Meanwhile, Franco Mastantuono received a rare straight red card for dissent, while Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal were also seen berating the official at various points through the second half. Dean Huijsen, who came off the bench in a return to fitness, also was booked for a needless bad foul that appeared borne out of exasperation than anything logical.

Until Madrid are able to keep a lid on their emotions and remain locked in on turning around a deficit, moments like this will prove too bright.

Alvaro Arbeloa response after Real Madrid defeat to Getafe

“I’m the one to blame for this defeat,” Arbeloa said. “Mbappe and Bellingham out as reasons? No, this is Real Madrid, we have more than enough players to win games. I won’t find excuses.”

“I see that we have great players, a great squad. We have players who are going to recover [from this defeat], and I think they are going to help us a lot [down the road]. I really do understand the criticism.”

Arbeloa on Getafe’s approach:

“I understand the perspective after a defeat like this, but having played poorly, I think we played a game in which we deserved more goals than Getafe scored. They approached the game as we knew they would, scoring one goal and taking advantage of the chances they had.”

Arbeloa on Mastantuono red card:

“I don’t know exactly what he said to the referee, but it must be for a reason [he was sent off]. We can’t have this kind of behavior.”

Pepe Bordalas response to Getafe win vs. Real Madrid

Bordalas on a memorable victory

“You have to look at the differences between one club and another. It’s very difficult to beat Real Madrid when you are managing Getafe. Getafe is a humble club, a club that has been going through various financial difficulties in recent seasons. It’s very commendable for us, I’m going to enjoy it a lot, and you never forget such an important victory in a setting like this and against Real Madrid.”

Bordalas on whether Antonio Rudiger should have been sent off by VAR for elbowing Juan Iglesias

“I think you’ve seen it, and I”m not going to comment on it. But I think it was clear to see, and everyone saw it clearly, so now all that’s left for us to do is enjoy the victory of these three very important points because it’s been a tough season, and this victory has to give us confidence for the future.”

Real Madrid vs. Getafe key moments, highlights

FULLTIME: Real Madrid 0-1 Getafe

WHAT A DISASTER FOR REAL MADRID! A totally putrid performance from Los Blancos, who offered next to nothing in the attacking third aside from a few key chances which they missed.

All hell has broken loose after the final whistle, as Vinicius Jr. has gone ballistic at the referee. It wasn’t the referee’s fault today for Madrid’s defeat, that’s for sure!

At no time did there seem to be any discernible tactical plan to break down the Getafe shape, and there was never any sense of urgency from Real Madrid at any moment. On the flip side, what a wonderful result for Getafe!

90+5 min: RED CARD, MADRID! Franco Mastantuono has been sent off! It’s unclear exactly what happened, but it would appear that Mastantuono has been dismissed with a straight red card for something he said to the referee! It must have been serious, for him to get a straight red for dissent and not a yellow!

75th min: Chance, Real Madrid! Antonio Rudiger fires just wide of the far post with a header off a corner! He flicks it on to the far post where Dean Huijsen is waiting, but the substitute whiffs with a header of his own!

69th min: Dean Huijsen is booked for a bad tackle through the back of an opponent after he had released the ball. Real Madrid are getting more and more desperate.

Arda Guler is withdrawn with Franco Mastantuono entering the pitch. Guler was having a promising match, so it’s another risky alteration from Arbeloa.

Moments after the restart, Aurelien Tchouameni is booked for a foul in midfield. It’s an extremely harsh decision, and one that momentarily turns the ire of Madrid supporters from the team to the referee, considering it came moments after a pair of Getafe players blatantly shoved Madrid players to the ground off the ball. 

55th min: Alvaro Arbeloa wasted the halftime substitution window, but makes a triple substitution 10 minutes later by bringing on Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal, and Rodrygo. Off comes David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Thiago Pitarch.

These are confusing substitutions. What was the point of purchasing Alexander-Arnold if he’s going to be wasted on the opposite flank of Vinicius Jr? Pitarch was having a good debut, so why take him off?

We’ll see if these alterations can spark Real Madrid to a turnaround. They are still so static at the moment.

2nd half kickoff: The game is back under way at the Bernabeu as the crowd is restless and Real Madrid are in a nervy situation, trailing by a goal.

The hosts were exceedingly one-sided in the first 45 minutes, relying on Vinicius Jr. to do basically all the work, which left Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gonzalo Garcia wasted on the opposite wing. Can they give Getafe a different look in this half to open things up more?

HALFTIME: Real Madrid 0-1 Getafe

What a mess for Real Madrid. The hosts have not been able to generate any kind of sustained offensive pressure outside of the one big miss by Vinicius Jr, while Getafe’s goal out of nothing has put the visitors shockingly in front.

Alvaro Arbela will need to make changes, whether personnel-wise or just tactically, to re-invigorate the Real Madrid attack, or else they will slump to defeat and give Barcelona an even bigger cushion at the top of the La Liga table.

39th min: GOAL! GETAFE! THE VISITORS SCORE OUT OF NOTHING! THE BERNABEU HAS BEEN SILENCED BY A SENSATIONAL RIP!

A ball into the penalty area isn’t cleared properly, instead kept alive by Mauro Arambarri, and Martin Satriano strikes it lusciously on the volley, burying it in the top-right corner! Antonio Rudiger could have blocked it, but turned his back and ducked underneath the effort!

The hosts have been under almost no pressure, but suddenly they’re behind for their complacency!

Watch Getafe goal in USA:

• Kylian Mbappe is expected to be out for around three weeks while his knee soreness subsides.
• Still missing are Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao who are both believed to be sidelined for another few weeks.
• Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio will both have to sit this one out but are expected back soon.
• There are reports that Eduardo Camavinga has been excluded from the Real Madrid squad today due to a toothache.

Getafe team news

• Dakonam Djene is suspended for this match after being sent off last time out against Sevilla.
• Defender Davinchi is a doubt for this match with a knee injury, as is Borja Mayoral.
• A broken hand will keep Abu Kamara out for the next few weeks.

Real Madrid upcoming fixtures

Getafe upcoming fixtures