In a tightly contested La Liga encounter, Real Madrid managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Getafe at the Coliseum Stadium on April 23, 2025. This crucial win keeps Los Blancos firmly in the race for the league title, trailing Barcelona by just four points as the season approaches its climax.
With Barcelona sitting comfortably at the top of the table with 73 points, Real Madrid entered the match knowing they needed a win to maintain their title aspirations. Currently, they hold second place with 69 points from 32 matches, having scored 65 goals and conceded 31. Meanwhile, Getafe, positioned 12th in the league, has had a mixed season with 39 points from 32 matches.
The match kicked off at 9:30 PM CET (1:00 AM IST on April 24), and fans were eager to see how both teams would perform. Real Madrid, fresh off a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, was looking to build on their momentum. That previous match saw Federico Valverde score a dramatic late winner, which added to the excitement surrounding this fixture.
Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his lineup, likely in anticipation of the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona just three days later. Notable fringe players like Endrick and Arda Güler were given the opportunity to shine in this important match.
It was Güler who made the most of his chance, scoring the only goal of the match just 21 minutes in. A poor clearance from the Getafe defense fell directly to Güler, who unleashed a well-placed shot with his weaker right foot, finding the back of the net and giving Real Madrid an early lead.
Despite the early advantage, Real Madrid struggled to find a second goal before halftime. Getafe began to assert themselves more in the second half, particularly after Ancelotti substituted David Alaba, which forced Aurélien Tchouaméni to drop back into a more defensive role alongside Raúl Asencio.
Real Madrid's defense faced several nervy moments as Getafe pressed for an equalizer. The absence of Kylian Mbappé, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury, was keenly felt as the team lacked the finishing prowess typically provided by their star forward.
As the match wore on, Real Madrid found themselves under pressure but managed to hold their ground. Thibaut Courtois, who had been in exceptional form, played a crucial role in maintaining the clean sheet, earning a player rating of 9.1/10 for his efforts. His performance marked the third consecutive clean sheet for Real Madrid in La Liga, a feat they had not achieved all season.
In the dying moments of the match, Real Madrid was forced to play with ten men after Eduardo Camavinga sustained an injury, yet they held on to secure the vital three points. The victory not only boosts their confidence ahead of the Copa del Rey final but also keeps them firmly in the title race with just a handful of matches left in the season.
After the match, Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with the performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of the younger players who stepped up in a critical moment. "It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but we got the job done, and that’s what matters at this stage of the season," Ancelotti remarked.
Looking ahead, both teams will now shift their focus to their next challenges. Real Madrid will prepare for the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26, while Getafe will aim to regroup and finish their season strong, despite their mid-table position.
The player ratings from the match reflect the overall performance of the team:
Real Madrid Player Ratings vs. Getafe (4-4-2)
GK: Thibaut Courtois | 9.1/10
RB: Lucas Vázquez | 8/10
CB: Raúl Asencio | 7.9/10
CB: David Alaba | 6.7/10
LB: Fran García | 7.1/10
RM: Brahim Díaz | 7.5/10
CM: Arda Güler | 8.5/10
CM: Aurélien Tchouaméni | 7.1/10
LM: Fede Valverde | 7.1/10
ST: Endrick | 6.2/10
ST: Vinícius Júnior | 7.9/10
SUB: Eduardo Camavinga (46' for Alaba) | 7.4/10
SUB: Jude Bellingham (64' for Endrick) | 6.1/10
SUB: Rodrygo (73' for Vinícius Júnior) | 6.1/10
SUB: Dani Ceballos (78' for Güler) | 6.2/10
As the La Liga season continues, every match becomes increasingly crucial, and the battle for the title remains as fierce as ever. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the upcoming Copa del Rey final, where Real Madrid will look to reclaim glory against their arch-rivals.
