Real Madrid reclaimed first place in LaLiga with a 1-0 victory over Getafe on Saturday, thanks to an early header by defender Eder Militao.
Militao’s scored the game-winning goal in the third minute after Luka Modric’s corner was headed in from close range.
However, despite their early success and an outstanding effort, Real were unable to penetrate Getafe’s defense and increase their lead.
Real has frequently encountered difficulties when playing at Getafe; in their previous two trips to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, they were winless after failing to score in both games.
Madrid has 22 points, three more than rival Barcelona, who has a game in hand and will play Celta Vigo on Sunday. Real recovered from dropping their first points of the season in a dismal home draw against Osasuna last weekend.
Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal said to Movistar Plus, “Our goal tonight was to win and retain the pressure now over Barcelona.”
“We always want to score more goals, but our defensive effort today was a big plus.”
“Not giving up on a goal was extremely important and helped us achieve our goal, which was to return to winning ways.”
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin recorded his first shutout for Real Madrid after giving up a goal in each of his first seven games.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti stated, “I think we controlled the game effectively from the outset and were very close to winning the points with a second goal.
“We were not effective in front of goal and missed numerous opportunities. We had many chances to score more and could have.”
Real applied more pressure following the early goal.
The focal point of Real Madrid’s offense was Rodrygo, who started at center forward in place of Karim Benzema, who Ancelotti rested ahead of the El Clasico against Barcelona the following weekend.
He wasted a fantastic opportunity to score with a close-range header, while Modric, who was making his comeback after missing two matches due to a hip injury sustained while representing Croatia internationally, sent a bullet-shot wide from the edge of the box.
Vinicius Jr. was fouled inside the box shortly before halftime, but a VAR review revealed that the ball had left the left touchline during the buildup, denying Real Madrid another penalty.
Rodrygo missed a shot after the break, and two minutes later, Getafe goalkeeper David Soria made an outstanding save to deny Aurelien Tchouameni a shot from inside the box.
After a few minutes, the VAR determined that the Brazilian was just barely offside, and the goal was thus disallowed.
As Real controlled possession and a hopeless Getafe defended with 11 men in their own half, the game’s pace slowed.
Getafe has lost two straight games and currently sits in 16th position with seven points, two points above the danger zone.
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