By Safiu Kehinde
La Liga giants, Real Madrid have started the new year on a losing note after falling behind the pecking order against relegation threatened Getafe in a lone goal defeat at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez Stadium.
With Vinicius Junior absent after testing positive for Covid-19, Carlos Ancelloti’s men were left in the shadows of their former self by the host team, Getafe.
Nine minutes into the game, Real Madrid entrusted defender, Eder Militao committed a defensive blunder which was capitalized on by Getafe’s Enes Unal. The striker was gifted a one-on-one against Thibaut Courtois and he wasted no time before rounding up the Belgian, finding the back of the net in the process.
Though Real Madrid paraded the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, David Alaba, and other youngsters, but the absence of their Brazilian talisman, Vinicius was greatly felt. Vinicius had, for long, proven to be the key to Madrid’s attacking threat. His absence saw Benzema clueless against Getafe.
Five minutes after Getafe’s goal, Thibaut Courtois almost cost Real Madrid another goal but was quick to save Nemanja Maksimovic’s shot. The Serbian nearly doubled the home team’s lead, but he had his chance denied by Courtois.
Real Madrid tend to find a new momentum as the charged towards Getafe’s goal mouth. Their attack nearly paid off after Luka Modric spun a shot on target only to be denied by the woodwork.
With time gradually tickling away, Madrid were eager to breakthrough Getafe’s watertight defence. Toni Kroos also hit the woodwork while Benzema appeared wasteful upfront.
In an attempt to salvage the situation, Carlos Ancelloti brought on Eden Hazard and Marcelo. This, however, did not bother the determined Getafe team. They kept soaking up Madrid’s pressure.
At the end of the final whistle, Getafe grabbed the three points to keep their hope alive. They currently sit 16th with two points above the relegation zone.
Real Madrid, on the other hand maintained their top of the table domination despite the loss. They are eight points ahead of second-placed Sevilla who are likely to close the gap with two outstanding matches yet to be played.
