A clean sheet, three points, and a return to winning ways, that’s all Real Madrid could ask for from the game tonight (Saturday). The Spanish champion did not play great football, but returned from the away match against Getafe with a small and important 0:1. Next week, the El Clasico against Barcelona awaits her.
With Thibaut Courtois and Karim Benzema without Thibaut Courtois, Real knew that after the 1-1 draw against Osasuna, dropping another point was simply out of the question, and started with plenty of enthusiasm. Already in the 3rd minute, Adir Militau rose wonderfully to Luka Modrić’s corner kick, and hit the net sharply. In those minutes, it looked like the Blancos were coming to run over, but unfortunately, very quickly the tempo of the game dropped.
The partnership between Vinicius and Rodrigo was impressive at times and Luka Modric was excellent as usual, but Real were overall not dangerous enough tonight. Fortunately, Getafe found it very difficult to embarrass his defence, and Carlo Ancelotti will surely be pleased that his side kept a clean sheet for the first time this season in the league.
Now with seven wins from eight games, Real Madrid have temporarily climbed to the top, at least until Barcelona complete their game tomorrow. Next week, the two giants of the Spanish league will meet in what many consider to be the biggest game in Europe. This season, when the championship fight between them is expected to go to the end, the importance is even particularly great.