Getafe - Real Madrid summary: Joselu brace, score, goals, highlights, LaLiga EA Sports

What next for Real Madrid?

As I mentioned a little earlier, Real Madrid won't have long to enjoy today's victory, as they have a Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid coming up at the Bernabéu on Sunday (4 January, 3:00 p.m. ET). You can also follow live text coverage of that one right here on AS USA. 

As for Getafe, they are also back in action on Sunday, when they face Real Betis in Seville. 

Getafe 0-2 Real Madrid: match stats

A statistical summary of the 90 minutes, with a little help from our friends at SofaScore:

Expected goals: 0.88-1.99

Total shots: 10-18

Shots on target: 2-9

Big chances: 2-5

Possession: 42%-58%

Real Madrid concern over Rüdiger

The only negative for Los Blancos was an injury picked up by Antonio Rüdiger, three days ahead of the Madrid derby against Atlético at the Bernabéu. With Eder Militão and David Alaba already out injured, central defensive options were already thin on the ground. 

Real Madrid go top of LaLiga

Real Madrid are now two points clear of Girona - and 10 above Barcelona - after the win in Getafe, with all teams having played the same number of matches. With 16 games to go, is anyone betting against Carlo Ancelotti's team now?

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti furious over penalty claim

As straightforward as it was for his team, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is visibly furious with the match officials over that late penalty claim, which was turned down. It was a clear clip by Gastón on Brahím, I have to say. But it really makes no difference in the end, I wouldn't worry about it too much, Carlo. 

A yellow card for his troubles. 

Full time: Getafe 0-2 Real Madrid

And that's that! A comfortable night's work for Real Madrid, who go top of the table thanks to two Joselu goals!

Another chance for Getafe to get one back but both Latasa and Mata are offside as Greenwood crashes another effort goalwrads, which flies off one of his teammates. 

Haven't we seen that one already? Greenwood shoots low from just outside the box and it flies just past the near post. 

Three minutes to be added.

Strong Real Madrid penalty shout

That could - and should - have been a penalty to Madrid! A lovely Madrid move ends up with Brahim, who is clipped by Gastón in the box. Bizarrely, no VAR check. That should've been a spot-kick. 

Bellingham and Joselu off

Carvajal and Brahim Díaz on for Madrid. 

Mayoral and Maksimovic off for Getafe, Yellu and Jaime Mata on. 

Getafe are going to lose.(I think), but at least the fans are taking it with good humour. Latasa challenges Lunin for a high ball, which the goalkeeper claims, and the Getafe attacker ends up in the net, which is greeted by a cry of "gooooooool". 

Don't think they'll get that one, even with VAR. 

Latasa header saved!

Rico hoists a high cross in from the Getafe left and Lastasa wins it above Nacho. His header is on target but is saved by Lunin. 

Chance for Bellingham!

He's not had many, and that one's a bit of a waste. Rodrygo plucks the ball superbly out of the sky and eventually works the ball to Bellingham, who feints to shoot a couple of times and eventually does, although a deflection takes the sting out of it. 

A tiny bit of momentum for Getafe, but they've got 10 minutes to get at least two goals, which I'm struggling to see happen. 

Just wide from Greenwood!

This looks to be Getafe's best bet. Greenwood cuts in from the right and fires a low shot towards goal, which fizzes just past the post! 

A half-hearted claim - mainly from the fans - as Mayoral and Camavinga tangle in the box. Nothing doing. 

Almost an instant impact from Rodrygo! He picks the ball up on the left, comes inside, inside again, and inside again before slicing high, wide and not very handsome.

Rodrygo on for Vinícius

Not Vinícius' night, but he won't care too much if his team win. 

That would've set the last 15 minutes up perfectly. As it is...

HUGE CHANCE FOR GETAFE!

That should be 2-1! Madrid make a mess of playing out from the back, Milla lays it on a plate for Mayoral but Lunin gets the faintest of touches to push the ball onto the post! It comes back to Milla but he blazes over from an impossible angle. 

That sums Getafe's day up. Milla has the chance to put Madrid under pressure with a cross into the box, but hits the first defender. 

Soria denies Vini...again

Not happening for Vini so far. Joselu sets him clean through on goal but he can't outfox Soria, who stays big and makes a crucial save. 

Soria tips Valverde shot wide!

A classic Modric through-ball sets Valverde away and into the box and the Urugayan's low strike is tipped round the post by Soria!

Chance for Maksimovic!

That could've been the moment for Getafe! Maksimovic plays a lovely one-two with Latasa and looks to have a clear sight of goal, only for Vázquez to come out of nowhere and make a crucial block!

Madrid race away down the other end and effortlessly cut Getafe open. Vini's low ball from the left isn't quite perfect for Valverde, who can't get a shot away in the box. 

Alderete slings a cross into the Madrid box and it goes straight to a white jersey. The way things have been going for them in this game. 

That would definitely have been that. Still the teeniest slither of hope for Getafe. Really, really teeny. 

What a miss from Vinícius!

Oh my word. Bellingham plays Joselu clean through. Rather than go for a hat-trick, he passes squared to Vini, who cockily tries to to fool Soria with a dummy, only to end up being the dummy himself as the Getafe goalkeeper saves his eventual effort. 

Have Getafe got anything up their sleeve? On the evidence of what we've seen so far, I'd say no. 

Joselu...over!

How many times? Vázquez crosses from the right to Joselu, who shoots first time. I've literally lost count. Well over this time. 

Just when it looked as if Getafe were up to something, Ancelotti's side kick them right in the bread basket. Real Madrid, ladies and gents. 

Vini feeds a nice ball into the feet of Joselu, who takes a superb touch and fires back across Soria and into the net. Boom! 0-2!

Another one! Modric - of all people - loses the ball inside his own half and Rico picks it up before firing wildly over the bar. Would've been a cracking field goal.  

0 shots in 45 minutes, 2 shots in 2! It's Greenwood again and it's comfortably wide from distance, but it's so much better from the hosts. 

Greenwood clips the post!

Getafe have arrived, ladies and gentleman! Greenwood picks the ball up on the right, drives into the box and fires a low drive towards - and ultimately - against the near post! That had Lunin worried!

Just for a second there, it looked as if Mayoral was going to get the ball in space just outside the Real Madrid box, but the pass had too much on it and skipped away from him. 

The first couple of minutes have been played in the Real Madrid half although there's nothing doing in terms of efforts on goal. 

Getafe have been more aggressive at the start of this second half (not that it was difficult). 

Second half underway!

Getafe kick off the second half (and can't possibly be less dangerous than in the first). 

Injured Rüdiger off for Real Madrid

As we thought, Rüdiger can't continue, Camavinga takes his place and Tchouaméni will drop into defence. 

Getafe half-time substitutions

Djené, Duarte, Carmona off, Rico, Latasa, Martín on. 

Getafe making three half-time changes

To the shock of absolutely nobody, Bordalas isn't happy with his team. 

LaLiga table as it stands: Real Madrid going top

As it stands, Real Madrid are going top of the table ahead of Girona with 16 matches left to play. 

Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid: half-time thoughts:

I’m amazed at how easy this has been for Real Madrid. I imagined Getafe, managed by Bordalas, would’ve been right in their faces and tried to make life as difficult as possible for them, but they haven’t laid a glove on their opponents.

The hosts haven’t had a single shot at goal or even looked like having one, while Joselu has found space in the Getafe box a number of times and took full advantage of indecision by David Soria to score the only goal after 14 minutes.

Will an injury to Antonio Rüdiger derail Madrid in the second half? Getafe surely can’t be as passive.

Joselu bags 11th Real Madrid goal

I'm going to suggest Joselu wasn't seen as a glamorous striking option considering Real Madrid were linked with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. But he's done a good job for Carlo Ancelotti. Today's goal in his 11th in 31 games, most of which he's started on the bench. 

1st half stats

According to our friends over at SofaScore, Getafe recorded 0.00 expected goals in that first half, which sounds about right. 

Total shots: 0-6

Shots on target: 0-3

Big chances: 0-2

Shots inside the box: 0-3

Shots outside the box: 0-3

Half time: Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid

Total control for Real Madrid in that first half. They lead through Joselu's 14th-minute header. 

What a mess at the back for Getafe! Valverde pings the ball over the top for Joselu, Soria comes out and tries to head the ball clear but only heads it up in the air, with Duarte needed to make a block to stop Joselu from shooting towards an open goal. 

If any other player took a touch like Modric did there to play the ball back to Lunin, you'd think it was accidental. It seems bizarre to think the Croat would take such a heavy took, it looked as if he did it on purpose. The goalkeeper picks the ball up, but no backpass was ruled to have taken place. 

Three extra minutes to be played. 

Not this time, though, as Modric's corner is cleared at the near post. 

Bellingham glides upfield with the ball, as he tends to do, and wins a corner. Right before half time is always a great time to score. 

The striker gets caught in a Duarte-Suárez sandwich. It looks as if he'll be OK to carry on. 

Joselu down now...

Rüdiger is back on but running as if he's desperate to go to the restroom. 

After a short break, we're back underway. Madrid playing with 10 men. 

Rüdiger down, it looks as if he's going off. Camavinga is out to warm up. 

The best thing Getafe could do is target the German, if I'm being cynical. 

Rüdiger is really struggling here. Let's see if he can make it to half time. 

Joselu close to second!

Vázquez is again the provider with another low across and it's another first-strike from Joselu, this time from the edge of the box, which Soria touches round the post!

Rüdiger isn't messing about there! The defender comes across and completely wipes out Greenwood, taking a little bit of the ball. The German looks to have come off worst though. 

Bellingham breaks in behind the Getafe defence, checks and looks to pick out Vinícius but misplaces his pass and Getafe clear. That was a decent opporunity wasted!

Joselu almost turns provider with a nice layoff for Modric, who ends up running the ball through to Soria. The big striker was later flagged offside, so it wouldn't have counted anyway. 

Valverde shoots over!

That was prime Valverde territory! But not prime Valverde shooting. Bellingham lays off it, the midfielder blazes over from 20 yards. 

Rael Madrid just casually knocking the ball about at the back. I thought Getafe were going to be right in their faces. 

Free-kick to Getafe in a dangerous....oh, forget it. Easily cleared. 

Mendy is next to see yellow for catching Milla late, a similar challenge to Djené's a few moments ago. 

As soon as Getafe get into the Real Madrid half, they have nowhere to go. 

Modric gets a short corner back from Valverde and curls one towards the far corner....over!

Djené is first in the book after trodding on Tchouaméni in midfield. Possibly an orange. 

25 minutes gone and Getafe haven't had a single chance yet. 

Vázquez is a threat down the right for Madrid. He whips another cross into the box, but this time Soria grabs it before it reaches Joselu. 

If only you'd done that earlier, eh, David?

Vini watch

The expected beef (xB) between Vini and Suárez hasn't quite materialised yet, but Duarte bodychecks the Brazilian as he tries to run through on goal, which the Madrid man isn't too pleased with. No foul given though. 

A bit of possession for Getafe in the Madrid half but there aren't many passing options on. The white jerseys have got the blue jerseys well covered. 

Getafe have rallied a bit in the last couple of minutes, winning a throw-in deep inside the Madrid half and a corner, but there's been no danger to Lunin's goal. In fact, he himself has been the main danger so far. 

Greenwood tries to get in behind Vázquez but the Madrid man is alert to the danger and sees the ball out. 

Just before that Madrid goal, Lunin had almost be caught - again - with the ball at his feet. Seconds later, the ball's in the net at the other end. 

That was far, far, far too easy. 

Real Madrid are going top of the league!

Vázquez gets far too much space on the right and slings in a cross, which Joselu meets and heads past Soria, who didn't come out and didn't stay on his line. 

Getafe will be a bit concerned by how easy it was for Vini to get in behind, I'd suggest. 

That was a really good chance for the Brazilian but he didn't quite catch it the way he would've wanted. 

Vinícius denied!

Big save from Soria! Nacho plays a great ball over the top for Vinícius, who races towards the box and shoots low, but is denied by a good low stop!

Joselu hits the bar!

A lovely move down the right sees Modric cross low to the near post for Joselu, whose first-time effort clips the bar!

Ah...offside. 

Getafe have had a decent amount of possession so far. Nothing between the teams early on. 

First blood to Mayoral in the battle of the top scorers as he nutmegs Bellingham in midfield. 

First chance for Real Madrid

Valverde whips a low cross in from the right and Joselu tries to guide it into the top corner. The ball flies a few yards wide. 

At the other end, Lunin dallies on the ball and almost gets caught by Greenwood!

In fairness, Vinícius didn't claim for a foul, which isn't like him...

Vinícius did appear to get clipped by Carmona...nothing given and there doesn't seem to be a check going on. 

Ooooh, an early penalty appeal for Real Madrid!

The Getafe defender did block him off, but there was nothing too sinister...yet. If either of them avoid a yellow card in this game I'll be amazed. 

I've just burst out laughing as it's taken Suárez less than 25 seconds to clatter into Vinícius, who goes down clutching his face...

Underway in Getafe!

Here we go! Real Madrid get us underway!

Ready? Things are about to heat up!

A big for Carlo Ancelotti from José Bordalas, seemingly confirming they're "great friends," as the Getafe boss said in his pre-match press conference. 

The teams are out on the pitch, the Getafe club anthem is blaring from the stands. 

The Final Countdown is on

I'd say at least 80% of Spanish soccer clubs play AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" right before the teams come out. Controversially, Getafe have gone with Europe's "The Final Countdown", which might be second on the list. 

Real Madrid will go top of LaLiga with a win

Another remind that this is a HUGE game for Real Madrid. A win in Getafe and they'll go back above Girona to the top of the table (and 10 points clear of Barcelona). 

Five minutes to go!

Real Madrid team to play Getafe

Lunin; Vázquez, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Modric, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu.

Rests for Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos and Rodrygo ahead of Sunday's Madrid derby against Atlético, with Lucas Vázquez, Luka Modric and Joselu back in. Andriy Lunin keeps his place in goal ahead of Kepa, while Jude Bellingham is back after a ban. 

Getafe team to play Real Madrid: Mayoral and Greenwood the dangermen

Soria; Djené, Duarte, Alderete; Suárez, Milla, Maksimovic, Álvarez; Carmona, Mayoral, Greenwood. 

LaLiga's joint top scorer Borja Mayoral and on-loan Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood are the men to watch out for, along with Damián Suárez trying to wind up Vinícius at every opportunity. 

Right, if you're just joining us, how about we go back over how the teams are going to line up for this game? 

Great idea!

Getafe: last five games

29 January: Getafe 2-0 Granada, LaLiga

21 January: Osasuna 3-2 Getafe, LaLiga

16 January: Getafe 1-3 Sevilla, Copa del Rey

6 January: Espanyol 0-1 Getafe, Copa del Rey

2 January: Getafe 0-2 Rayo Vallecano, LaLiga

Getafe's current form

Over Getafe way, things have been much less predictable. They've won two and lost three of their last five matches in all competitions, although they've been beaten in only one of their 10 LaLiga home games this season and have won four of the last five. 

Real Madrid: last five games

27 January: Las Palmas 1-2 Real Madrid, LaLiga

21 January: Real Madrid 3-2 Almeria, LaLiga

18 January: Atletico Madrid 4-2 Real Madrid (after extra time), Copa del Rey

14 January: Real Madrid 4-1 Barcelona, Spanish Super Cup

10 January: Real Madrid 5-3 Atletico Madrid (after extra time), Spanish Super Cup

Real Madrid’s current form

Real Madrid have won 14 of their last 16 games in all competitions and nine of their last 10. They’ve only lost two games all season, both to city rivals Atlético Madrid.

Guess who they play next on Sunday…?

On-loan Manchester United forward Greenwood’s controversial move to Spain

In 2022, Mason Greenwood was charged with attempted rape for an alleged incident in 2021, videos and audios of which had made their way into the public domain. All charges were dropped early last year because of the withdrawal of key witnesses and "new material that came to light”, although Manchester United decided the attacker had no future at the club after they conducted an internal investigation.

Getafe received plenty of criticism for taking the England international on loan, with their fans voicing their displeasure after the news come out. He has been one of the best performers this season, scoring six times in 20 appearances, and there have even been rumours Barcelona and Atlético Madrid would like to sign him. 

Ex-Madrid striker Mayoral the man to watch for Getafe

Borja Mayoral will be one of Getafe’s main dangermen. The Real Madrid academy product scored seven goals in 33 matches for Los Blancos but only played a few minutes here and there. After loan spells at Wolfsburg, Levante, Roma and Getafe, he signed for the latter on a permanent basis in 2022 and has banged in 14 LaLiga goals this term…the same as one Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid arrive at Estadio Coliseum

Have the Real Madrid media team sped up the clips or some players arriving, or were they just desperate use the washroom? 

Anyway, they're here! A little over 30 minutes until kick off!

Vinícius back on top form after injuries

Vinícius Júnior endured an injury-hit start to the season but Saturday was confirmation that is right back on top form. In Las Palmas, the Brazilian scored his fifth goal in four games and has netted 11 in 19 matches in all competitions, along with four assists.

What odds on him and Getafe hardman Damián Suárez, who will likely be occupying a similar spot on the field, both getting booked…?

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid injury update: when will Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militão and David Alaba be back playing?

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-backs Eder Militão and David Alaba are all recovering from ACL tears. Courtois and Militão are closing in on their returns, but Alaba faces a rather long wait to be back in action. 

Here's more on when we are likely to see them again.

What happened in Getafe’s last game?

After losing back-to-back league matches, Getafe got back to winning ways last in their last outing, which took place as recently as Monday. On-loan Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood and former Real Madrid youngster Borja Mayoral scored first-half goals to secure a 2-0 home win over 19th-placed Granada, who are not having a good season.

Real Madrid dressing room in Getafe

I've noticed in most games this season the Real Madrid players have been given a tub of Nivea hand/face/body cream beforehand. There's none in sight for this one, though. Is there some Real Madrid-Nivea beef brewing, I wonder? That would be scandalous!

Getafe team to play Real Madrid: Greenwood and Mayoral start

Getafe have rather annoying listed their team on social media in a video, but here it goes. 

Soria; Djené, Duarte, Alderete; Suárez, Milla, Maksimovic, Álvarez; Carmona, Mayoral, Greenwood. 

As expected, former Madrid man Borja Mayoral and on-loan Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood start in attack.

LALIGA

“Almería robbed at the Bernabéu”, the press reaction to Sunday’s LaLiga game

Of course, we can’t discuss that Almería game without mentioning the VAR controversy that undoubtedly aided Madrid’s comeback. That would probably have continued to be the hot topic in Spanish soccer had Xavi not dropped his resignation bombshell, which has taken the heat off it somewhat.

In case you missed it, a number of on-field decisions were crucially overturned in Los Blancos’ favour, with a penalty given against visiting defender Kaiky Fernandes for handball, Sergio Arribas’ goal disallowed for a foul by Dion Lopy on Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior’s equaliser allowed to stand after it had initially been ruled out for handball.

Xavi, Joan Laporta and Vinícius Júnior all had their say. But now it’s all died down thanks to the Barça coach’s’ surprise revelation.

Real Madrid the comeback kings

Sound like a familiar tale? Is there any team in world soccer more associated with second-half (or even second-leg) comebacks than Real Madrid? We only had to look back a further six days for the previous “remontada,” which saw them come from 2-0 down at half time to defeat bottom club Almería at the Bernabéu (apologies for the nudity). 

If you don’t kill off Real Madrid, they’ll kill you.

Los Blancos come from behind to win in Las Palmas

Real Madrid looked to be in trouble in their last outing at Las Palmas on Saturday, falling behind just after half-time to Javi Muñoz’s strike. But write Los Blancos off at your peril; Vinícius Júnior levelled with 25 minutes to go and from then on, it seemed inevitable they would find a winner, which came courtesy of Aurélien Tchouaméni’s header six minutes before the end.

Bordalas back at Getafe for second spell

Bordalas ball is back, baby!

José Bordalas' aggressive - shall we say - style of play is not everybody's cup of tea, but it has done Getafe alright over the years. The 59-year-old, who genuinely looks much younger now than he did 20 years ago, has managed 13 different teams in Spain but none as well as Getafe, where he almost qualified for the Champions League in 2019. After a season with Valencia, he returned to Madrid and kept Getafe up at the end of last season, and they've kicked on nicely since then. 

Getafe manager José Bordalas pre-match

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti pre-match

Why did Getafe's Estadio Coliseum change name?

Estadio Coliseum? "I thought Getafe played at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez? Well, they did until recently. The club's stadium was named after the former striker, who played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the 1990s/2000s. He never played for Getafe but was born and raised there, which apparently was enough. Anyway, disparaging remarks in an interview about female soccer players last year means he no longer has his own stadium to speak of. Not a good look. 

LALIGA

Barcelona - Osasuna summary: Vitor Roque winner, score, goal and highlights | LaLiga 2023/24

Missed that Barça win over Osasuna? Fear not!

Our Will was all over it and can give you the retrospective lowdown.

Barcelona register much-needed victory over Osasuna

The big news in Spain in recent days has come on the other side of the Clásico divide, with Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández revealing he would be stepping down at the end of the season after the frankly ridiculous 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal at the weekend. Barça were knocked out of the Copa del Rey and were thrashed in the Spanish Super Cup final by Real Madrid in January, while they had conceded 29 goals in 12 games after that high-scoring defeat at the weekend. Ouch!

On Wednesday, however, they recorded a much-needed victory over Osasuna in their first game since Xavi announcement and are back within eight points of Girona and seven of Madrid, having played a game more.

LALIGA

Why are Real Madrid and Barcelona playing in LaLiga this midweek?

Why are Real Madrid playing on a random Thursday night?

There’s no official round in LaLiga this midweek, so why were there two games last night and another one tonight? Glad you asked.

Here’s what’s going on with the LaLiga fixture schedule.

LA LIGA

Getafe - Real Madrid: how to watch on TV, stream online | La Liga

Still looking for a way to watch today's game? If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and our Andy is here with the details!

Just be sure to stick with me too, please!

Watch a Getafe vs Real Madrid live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial

Early Getafe team news

Getafe will be without midfielder Mauro Arambarri, an ACL victim, and former Barcelona youngster Ilaix Moriba, who will play for Guinea against DR Congo in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations on Friday.

Another midfielder, Luis Milla, and defenders Damián Suárez and José Manuel Carmona all return to the squad after missing Monday’s win over Granada due to suspension.

Real Madrid team to play Getafe: Carvajal, Rodrygo, Kroos rested

As always seems to be the case, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has gone incredibly early with his team selection (compared to other managers, at least). 

Lunin; Vázquez, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Modric, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu.

There are rests for Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos and Rodrygo ahead of Sunday's Madrid derby against Atlético, with Lucas Vázquez, Luka Modric and Joselu back in. Andriy Lunin keeps his place in goal ahead of Kepa. 

Bellingham’s LaLiga goals

We knew Bellingham was going to be good, but did we know he was going to be THIS good? Especially in term of his goal return.

The England midfielder has scored 14 goals in 18 LaLiga games and 18 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions since moving to Spain last June. Previously, he had only ever hit double figures in a season once, scoring 14 times for Borussia Dortmund in 2022-23.

Jude Bellingham returns for Real Madrid

It’s hard to argue against Jude Bellingham being Madrid’s standout player this season, although they have won four games out of four without him, including Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Las Palmas, which he was suspended for. It’s funny how these things work sometimes.

The Englishman is back from a ban for today’s game. Getafe beware.

How the LaLiga table looks: Getafe

Getafe have finished 15th out of 20 in each of the last three seasons but are on course to improve on that this time around. José Bordalas’ men are nine points clear of Mallorca, currently in 15th, and will jump from 10th to eighth with a victory over Madrid, although they are very much the underdogs.

How the LaLiga table looks: Real Madrid

Real Madrid have won 17 of their 21 LaLiga fixtures this season which, if you ask me, makes it absolutely incredible that they aren’t top of the table, and even more mind-boggling thatGirona are. Hats off to the “other” Catalans. That will all change today, though, if Los Blancos pick up all three points in their game in hand in Getafe.

Where is Getafe?

According to Google Maps (surely no more trustworthy source?), Getafe's Estadio Coliseum is 20.7 kilometres / 12.9 miles from Real Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabé, which is "typically" a 20-30 minute drive, depending on traffic. 

A four-hour walk would probably have been too much of a warm-up, but a one-hour cycle might've been decent. 

What time does Getafe - Real Madrid kick off?

We’ll have to wait a little though, as the clash in Spain gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which is 3:00 p.m. ET and 12:00 p.m. PT. How about taking an extended lunch break for this one? I can feel it’ll be worth it!

Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!

Hello and welcome to Getafe - Real Madrid!

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Real Madrid’s short LaLiga trip to Getafe. Could today be the day Carlo Ancelotti’s side take control of the title race? A win at Estadio Coliseum will see them leapfrog surprise league leaders Girona and take a two-point lead at the top of the table with 16 games left to play.

I’m Roddy and thanks for joining me for this Madrid derby of sorts!