Real Madrid returned to winning ways in La Liga thanks to Eder Militao’s early header against Getafe, marking a functional performance from the reigning Spanish and European champions without every really getting into a high gear against their city neighbours.
Los Blancos suffered a shock defeat in this fixture last season, but this time they needed just three minutes to take the lead. Militao rose highest at the near post from Luka Modrić’s corner and flicked his header beyond the reach of goalkeeper David Sorio.
Real continued to create a number of half chances that didn’t particularly trouble Soria, while Getafe came very close to equalizing midway through the first half. Fabricio Angileri’s wild drive went narrowly wide of the far post and Borja Mayoral also converted from close range.
Despite their overall dominance, the visitors were not as clinical as Carlo Ancelotti would have liked. But they had a clear glimpse of goal in the closing stages of the first half when Federico Valverde crossed to an unmarked Rodrygo, whose header was well held by Soria.
Even before half-time, Vinicius Junior thought he had won the penalty when he was fouled by Luis Milla. But a second look from Antonio Miguel Lahoz on VAR advice saw the ball overturned when the ball was found to be offside in a set-piece.
Real should have doubled their lead just after half-time, a melee in the Getafe area saw efforts from Rodrygo and Luka Modric blocked either side of Aurelien Tchouameni’s shot, which was saved by Soria as the home goal led a charmed life.
Andriy Lunin made his first meaningful save not long after denying former Barcelona midfielder Carles Alena low down to his left, while Real were soon denied a goal by VAR at the other end when Rodrygo’s finish was later found to have been clean and smart. be offside.
As the second half progressed, you could sense that Real were beginning to drift in the game, with clear chances drying up and possession errors creeping in. Valverde tested Soria from distance, who saw the ball come loose briefly, while the Uruguayan even had a try. a speculative effort from deep within his own half that wasn’t a million miles away from hitting the target.
Substitute Marco Asensio still had time to try his luck from distance and ripple the top of the net as he flew just over, but it ended up a single goal to nil.
Real Madrid player ratings vs Getafe – La Liga
1. Real Madrid (4-3-3)
GK: Andriy Lunin – 6/10 – Made a good save early in the second half to preserve the lead.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10 – Got forward frequently to good effect early on. That seemed to disappointingly fade later on.
CB: Eder Militao – 7/10 – Had a nightmare in this fixture last season and started in the perfect manner. Defensively sound.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 6/10 – Good on the ball with both short and long passes. Wasn’t hugely tested.
LB: David Alaba – 6/10 – Didn’t stand out but his night was pretty comfortable overall.
CM: Luka Modric (c) – 7/10 – Inch perfect corner gave Real their early lead.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 7/10 – Really solid presence at the base of the midfield that stopped Getafe constructing anything centrally.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – 6/10 – Decent energy but had the least direct impact on the game out of the midfield trio.
RW: Federico Valverde – 7/10 – A creative spark, but also showed his physical in setting up Rodrygo’s ultimately disallowed goal. Seemed to be the only Real player making things happen in the final quarter.
ST: Rodrygo – 7/10 – Had a header well saved and a clever chipped finish chalked off. Still made an impact but not quite his night.
LW: Vinicius Junior – 7/10 – Slow to get involved but was clearly a threat when he did manage to get on the ball.
SUB: Marco Asensio (83′ for Camavinga) – 7/10
SUB: Nacho (83′ for Militao) – 5/10
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti – 6/10 – Delayed making any changes until late on because his side were leading. But it was risky because it was only a narrow lead and Real were losing tempo as the game wore on.
