Enzo Karema
Real Madrid turned the engine back on after the international break as they faced city rivals Getafe away from home. In a fired up, intense derby, Los Blancos came out triumphant, and will be heading into El Clásico as league leaders.
With the number of injuries in the squad already, and Getafe’s notorious aggressive style of football, there were reasons to be worried even before kickoff. José Bordalás’ men were themselves once more; unbearable and unforgiving, with captain Djené notably standing out for his brilliance defensively, alongside goalkeeper David Soria, who gave Mbappé a hard time in front of the goal.
While watching the first half, it appeared that Xabi Alonso instructed his front three plus Bellingham and Valverde to exploit the half spaces, to beat Getafe’s low-block. Very often, Valverde, Mastantuono and Rodrygo were running inwards to find — or at least create — spaces through the middle, but if they weren’t being stopped by a push or surrounded by countless defenders, it was Soria making himself twice his size to stop every opportunity.
To add to their rigid defending, Getafe were also carrying out counterattacks the moment they regained the ball, and attempted to obtain fouls in dangerous areas. This was to no effect, however, as referee Jose Munuera wasn’t easily budging. Regardless, the first half was fast-paced, messy and painful, but admittedly entertaining in its own right.
The second half saw the continuation of the approach used in the first, but it would be the substitutions that would make a difference. Vinícius caused problems for Getafe from the moment he stepped on the pitch, showing his bravery and heart as he kept testing the opponents’ defence. On minute 77, Nyom, who had been subbed in by Bordalás maybe a mere 20 seconds prior, fouled the Brazilian in an off-ball situation, an unnecessary action that earned him a red card.
A couple of minutes later, once the action resumed after disputes between the players, referees and Bordalás, another substitute, Arda Güler, found Mbappé for the fifth time this season as he assisted him to score the deserved game-winning goal. Vini would also force a red card through a second yellow to another Getafe player, Sancris, which truly defines how the derby went for the Azulones. An important win, and now, all eyes on Juventus on Wednesday, and Barcelona on Sunday.