Getafe 0-2 Real Madrid: What Were The Main Talking Points As Los Blancos Reclaim Top Spot In The La Liga Title Chase?

Putting in a rugged performance on Thursday night, Real Madrid climbed back to the top of the La Liga table as they secured a 2-0 victory against local rivals Getafe.

Getting off to a flying start as Spanish international Joselu opened the scoring after just 14 minutes, Carlo Ancelotti’s side largely didn’t have to get out of third gear as they ran rampant at the Estadio Coliseum.

Now winning all of their previous six La Liga appearances on the bounce and leapfrogging Girona, it was Joselu who wrapped up all three points for Los Blancos as the one-time Newcastle misfit produced a slick finish 10 minutes after the restart.

Suffering just a single defeat against Getafe since way back in August 2012, the Blues failed to find any kind of fluidity on home soil and they do find themselves at the heart of a recent rut.

Almost sat in top-flight limbo, Getafe have recorded just a single victory from any of their last six meetings against La Liga opposition.

On a night when Los Blancos picked up local bragging rights and extended on their domestic romp, we have taken a look at the key talking points from Thursday’s showdown.

Real Madrid sit in the driving seat

While a high-flying Girona might have continued to cement their spot as one of Europe’s ultimate surprise packages this season, Real Madrid will certainly be smelling the chance to make more domestic history in 2024.

Breezing their way to a Champions League knockout stage ticket and tipped as a genuine European contender, Ancelotti’s side are riding an extended wave of momentum.

Although Los Blancos might have eventually finished 10 points adrift of defending their La Liga crown last season, Thursday’s guests have come roaring back this time around.

Finding a route back to the top of the table here and opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a two-point buffer over the chasing pack, Madrid will now be desperate to make another heavyweight statement when they return to the Bernabeu.

Sitting in the driving seat to claim a record-breaking 36th La Liga title, Ancelotti’s men will be next seen on Sunday night when they welcome Atletico across the capital.

Joselu proves why he is such a Los Blancos hit

With fans around the Bernabeu left heartbroken last summer as Karim Benzema secured a blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia, many were wondering how Los Blancos would replace the former Ballon d’Or winner.

However, although the Spanish giants might have shocked many as they welcomed Joselu to the capital on an initial loan switch from Espanyol, the 33-year-old has certainly made an immediate impact.

Already cementing his spot as a fan favourite around the Bernabeu, the one-time Newcastle misfit once again underlined his value to Ancelotti’s squad here.

Bagging a classy brace on either side of the half-time break, the former AC Milan boss has made it clear that Joselu has a crucial role to play across all fronts over the second half of the campaign.

Now notching five strikes in his previous seven domestic appearances across all competitions and likely to feature for Spain at this summer’s European Championships, Joselu is certainly doing an eye-catching job of filling Benzema’s void.

Getafe’s La Liga rut continues

Spending the majority of last season looking over their shoulder at a looming bottom-three scrap, Getafe opened the 2023/24 campaign tipped as a potential relegation contender this time around.

However, although Thursday’s hosts might still find themselves battling it out in the top-half of the La Liga table, Jose Bordalas’ side are seeking a recent boost.

Putting in a toothless performance here and largely outplayed by their local rivals, the Blues have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous six meetings against top-flight opposition.

Crashing out of the Copa del Rey on January 16th following a 3-1 drumming at home against a struggling Sevilla, Getafe have shown some extended issues since opening the New Year.

Almost sat in La Liga limbo, Bordalas’ men have also shown some continued defensive struggles. Including a 3-2 loss against Osasuna last month, Getafe have recorded just a pair of La Liga clean sheets since returning from November’s international break.

Match Report

Getafe: Soria, Diene, Duarte, Alderete, Suarez, Milla, Maksimovic, Alvarez, Carmona, Mayoral, Greenwood

Subs: Jordi, Santiago, Rico, Latasa, Mata

Real Madrid: Lunin, Vazquez, Rudiger, Fernandez, Mendy, Modric, Tchouameni, Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Joselu

Subs: Rodrigo, Diaz, Carvajal, Camavinga

Goals: Joselu (14’, 56’)

Yellow Cards: Getafe: Djene – Real Madrid: Mendy, Tchouameni

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea