Getafe 0-0 Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane’s injury-hit side lose ground on leaders Atletico Madrid in enthralling LaLiga title race after goalless draw
- Real Madrid were hit by numerous injuries to key players ahead of the match
- Relegation-threatened Getafe were very good value for the point they gained
- Zidane’s Los Blancos outfit only managed two shots on target across the game
Two brilliant saves from Thibaut Courtois earned Real Madrid’s walking wounded a point against Getafe but they still lost precious ground on leaders Atletico.
Courtois made spectacular second half saves from Enes Unal and Nemanja Maksimovic as Getafe turned the screw on Zinedine Zidane’s severly weakened side.
The coach had only 13 fit first team players and two of those – Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos – were so energy-sapped from their exploits against Liverpool in the Champions League that they had to start the game watching from the sidelines.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane saw his side lose ground in the tight LaLiga title race
The Spanish champions could only manage a 0-0 draw against relegation-threatened Granada
Courtois saw Maksimovic’ effort late after it took a deflection off of 21-year-old centre-back Victor Chust, making his first start in the centre of Real Madrid’s defence, but he reacted well to tip it over.
He also kept Getafe at bay as they had the better chances in the first half with Jaime Mata hitting a post early on. Chust then had to make a vital interception to keep out Mata’s effort and Luka Modric threw himself at an Allan Nyom shot from close range.
Chances were few and far between for Real Madrid but they could count themselves unlucky twice in the first half. First Mariano Diaz had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be ruled out by the tightest of offside calls.
Then the same player thought he had scored only for David Timor to hook the ball away from just under the post.
Los Blancos striker Mariano Diaz added to the side’s injury woes after picking up a knock
First-choice striker Karim Benzema replaced Diaz just after the hour but could not score a goal
Benzema did come on in the second period but barely got a chance to add to nine goals he has scored in his last seven league games.
As Getafe pushed for the win their coach Jose Bordalas chose not to turn to Japan international Take Kubo. The Real Madrid loanee cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as Madrid brought on 20-year-old midfielder Antonio Blanco and 19-year-old Sergio Arribas.
Madrid were missing the suspended Nacho and Casemiro as well as Fede Valverde who has had contact with a coronavirus positive, and the injured Ferland Mendy.
Those setbacks, added to the long term absentees such as Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal, and Eden Hazard who is in training but evidently still not match fit, turned this must win game into a must not lose affair, and Madrid, thanks to Courtois, came away with a point.
