Getafe 0 – Real Madrid 1, goal by Arda Güler (21st minute). A hard-fought and important win to stay in the title race ahead of the big Copa del Rey final.
Rotations
We finally got to see Arda Güler and Endrick start, and we also saw Brahim in the lineup. Rodrygo, Bellingham, Rüdiger, Ceballos, and Camavinga were left on the bench, among others, with an eye on Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
Real Madrid had the better first half, controlling the game without too much trouble, especially after Arda Güler’s screamer in the 21st minute — interestingly not with his strong left foot, but with his right. A solid statement from a player who hasn’t shone as much this season as he did last.
Getafe couldn’t figure out how to play against Madrid and kept changing tactics and players. At halftime, Camavinga came on to replace Alaba, who had some discomfort (Tchouaméni had to drop back to center-back again).
Gradually, Getafe started growing into the game and creating a bit more danger. True to his style, Ancelotti didn’t want to save players for the Cup final and ended up bringing on Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Ceballos — each one in separate substitutions, using all three substitution windows (Camavinga’s sub doesn’t count since it was at halftime). This would’ve been just a curiosity, if not for the fact that Camavinga got injured at the end, and since there were no more windows left, Madrid had to play with 10 men for a few minutes. Fortunately, it didn’t cost them, but had Getafe equalized, it would’ve been a big mistake from Carlo…
On top of that, he subbed off Endrick and Arda Güler. He even scolded Endrick in the press conference — very out of character for Ancelotti — criticizing a 1v1 play against the goalkeeper where Endrick tried a chip shot that didn’t come off, saying, “At Real Madrid, we don’t do theater,” and that Endrick shouldn’t do that, but shoot hard instead.
I don’t remember Ancelotti ever telling a player what to do or not do, especially not regarding a technical move. Endrick clearly intended to lift it over the keeper, who was off his line, but it didn’t work. It wasn’t an unnecessary trick or some silly move. Still, this probably reflects some nervousness from Ancelotti — and maybe some built-up frustration with Endrick over the season.
In the end, Camavinga got injured — and here is the medical report on his injury.