On 1 December 2024, Real Madrid vs Getafe CF will face off for the first time in the 2024/25 Laliga EA Sports season.
The last five meetings have ended in a 9-1 aggregate scoreline for the hosts, Real Madrid. However, the margins are this slim because the defending champions played second-string XIs in all these games.
Marea Azul has done well to cement a reputation as the league’s most ultra-defensive side, however, but this has also caused them to neglect their attack in recent times, leading to problems for the team as a whole. This season, despite being in the relegation zone, they have conceded the third least goals in the league (level with Madrid) behind the joint-second Real Sociedad and Mallorca, and the ever sturdy Atlético. In attack, they have only managed to score as much as Valencia, who are 20th on the log.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, is only behind Barcelona in goals scored but many cannot help but point out how badly they are underperforming when their team sheet is laid out on paper. They currently field Kylian Mbappé, who won the last five Golden Boots in France with over 25 league goals scored in each of those seasons. They also field star Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo Goes, and Jude Bellingham, who, last season, managed to score over 40 goals combined in the league.
This is why this match will be very interesting to witness, especially with the injury worries that plague the defending champions.
Holders of Real Madrid tickets for the season will hope that their winning streak against Getafe continues in this match, and will recall the performance of their team from the last time that they hosted Getafe.
They played without Vinicius Jr. and fielded Joselu – who is now at Al Gharafa in Qatar – alongside Rodrygo as the starting centre forwards, supported by Bellingham in the hole (number 8/10 role) and a midfield of Modric, Tchouameni, and Camavinga.
Holders of Getafe CF tickets will remember how it felt when Borja Mayoral opened the scoring for Getafe in the 11th minute after a mistake by defender Fran García. They will also recall the string of saves that goalkeeper David Soria had to make to help them take the lead into halftime. First, Soria launched himself outside the box to clear with his shoulder and then made a brilliant one-handed save from Luka Modric’s close-range header before a reflex stop with his left foot to keep out Joselu’s point-blank strike.
Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti activated his players at halftime with what must have been a tough speech because the defending champions took over the game from the first minute of the second half to the delight of their fans. Joselu equalised from a loose ball inside the six-yard box in the 47th minute.
Madrid put Getafe under relentless pressure after that goal, hitting the woodwork three times, in addition to Rodrygo missing several chances and Soria making more amazing saves to keep the score at 1 – 1.
Then Bellingham struck as he often did last season, scoring from a rebound after another amazing save from Soria.
Madrid went home with the three points but both sets of fans were treated to nerve-wracking but interesting football, and that is what they will expect when they shop for tickets ahead of this clash.
Match tickets
Real Madrid will host the match at their Santiago Bernabeu stadium for holders of the Real Madrid vs Getafe CF tickets. These tickets are available on Real Madrid’s and Getafe’s websites, as well as the official channels of La Liga.
The early bird gets the biggest worm, of course, so fans looking for the best seats will have to make haste in purchasing theirs. Non-local fans and travelling fans can visit ticket resale sites to buy matchday tickets for the fixture which will be taking place on Sunday, 1 December 2024 at 4:15 PM UK time.
Team news
Real Madrid is currently a depleted squad. This season, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militão picked up long-term injuries that will keep them out of contention until August 2025. Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba, who both picked up injuries last season continue to suffer relapses, leading to pessimism on their ability to participate in the title defence this season.
On the bright side, Courtois has played, but it is unlikely he will be fit enough for Getafe. Real Madrid will also be without a right back as Carvajal’s deputy, the versatile Lucas Vazquez, has been sidelined until later in December, no thanks to a knock he picked up in late October. Carlo Ancelotti will be racking his brain for a good squad that can handle the intensity that Getafe is known for.
Meanwhile, the visitors only have Bertuğ Yıldırım to worry about, as the Turkish striker is currently sidelined with an unknown injury. He is, however, at risk of suspension from the game thanks to picking up four yellow cards, which give José Bordalas an easy decision to make. He will also be worried about captain Djené, Mauro Arambarri, and Álex Sola, all of whom are also on four yellow cards and at risk of missing the Madrid derby.
Line-ups
Although Real Madrid were away the last time they met, the record holders of La Liga lined up with Joselu and talisman Luka Modric. Followers of the club know that this was an indication of how seriously Madrid took the match.
They would end up subbing off Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rüdiger, and Joselu himself, who scored both goals that earned Madrid the three points.
This time may be different, however, because Madrid is chasing Barcelona. Still, we believe Modric will return to the starting XI for this one and Vinicius to be rested, or at least substituted in for Endrick, who could start alongside Kylian Mbappé.
Getafe, meanwhile, will always play their best XI against Madrid and will continue to do so as they seek to go on a run of wins against the face of their city.
Real Madrid: Lunin; Garcia, Rüdiger, Vallejo, Camavinga; Diaz ,Valverde, Modric, Bellingham; Endrick, Mbappé.
Getafe CF: Soria; Iglesias, Duarte, Alderete, Rico; Santiago, Arambarri; Nyom, Milla, Perez; Uche.
Prediction
Real Madrid will host this fixture as earlier stated, which means they have all the advantage. In other words, it is theirs to lose. We do not expect Getafe to come in with the sort of underdog energy that can trouble the defending champions, who themselves feel like underdogs in a season that is being dominated by their fierce rivals FC Barcelona.
We also do not expect Los Blancos to close their stadium roof for this one, which means they will approach the match with as much seriousness as they should and nothing more.
Real Madrid 3 – 0 Getafe CF