Real Madrid
v
Getafe
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Saturday, 5th December 2015
***
Real Madrid are back in La Liga action after an abrupt and bizarre elimination from the Copa Del Rey campaign. The Spanish giants have been ruled out of the Copa Del Rey despite winning the sole match they played in the tournament. Real Madrid fielded Denis Cheryshev who was facing ruled out for a match during his time at Villarreal last season. As a result, the Benitez managed side will have been disqualified from the tournament. In such circumstances, Real Madrid are poised to host Getafe at home as the season has gotten increasingly worrisome for Los Blancos.
Meanwhile, the visiting team, Getafe are 13th in the La Liga standing and come into the game with little pressure on them. The Madrid-based club have lost 5 of their last 6 away games but are still positive about the upcoming game against their local rivals. Getafea s manager Fran Escriba has vowed that his side are not planning to sit back and defend at the Bernabeu.
Team News and Tactics
Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be hoping to gain some respite by grabbing a home win in the league game and put the Copa Del Rey controversy behind them. The club will try to play attractive football and the manager Rafa Benitez will be looking to restore the fansa confidence in the team. Benitez will most likely field the strongest 11 he available to play. However, injury concerns and lack of team chemistry are likely to pose major issues for the manager. Coming up against a fairly weak opponent, Real Madrida s problems on the field will most likely be psychological.
The defensive foursome of Ramos, Varane, Marcelo and Carvajal are all out facing injury concerns. They are probably the four strongest defenders in the side and their absence will be difficult to deal with for The Whites. Meanwhile, Isco will also sit out Saturdaya s game as the midfielder will serve the last of his two-match suspension.
Probable Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Nacho, Arbeloa; Kroos, Modric; Rodriguez, Bale, Ronaldo; Benzema;
Getafe
Getafe have a very bad away record this season and the game against Real Madrid is unlikely to be the turning point for them. However, the current Real Madrid situation sees them as a vulnerable side and Getafe are in with a chance to nick a win at the Bernabeu. All being said, the hosts will be keen to stop embarrassing themselves further and are unlikely to give Getafe an easy time at the Bernabeu. While the visitorsa manager has promised that they wona t be playing a defensive game, they will likely be forced to spend most of the gametime trying to suppress the strong Real Madrid attack.
Getafe midfielder Juan Rodriguez will serve a suspension after collecting five yellow cards and will sit out the game against Real Madrid.
Probable Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Guaita; Suarez, Cala, Alexis, Lago; Yoda, Lacen; Sarabia, V Rodriguez, Lafita; Vazquez;
Player to watch out for
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) .
After a rather slow start to the season (by his standards), Ronaldo seems to be raring to go. The Portuguese impressed in the Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk where he scored and assisted 2 goals each and followed it up with a goal against Eibar in La Liga. The forward is expected to do well against Getafe on Saturday after being rested for the Copa Del Rey game against Cadiz.
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-0 Getafe
No matter how bad things are going for Real Madrid, the whites are unlikely to falter against lowly Getafe at the Bernabeu. They will go out there and put their best foot forward in the hope that their performance on Saturday makes up for the Copa Del Rey debacle.
