Golden Opportunity for Real Madrid in Search of Catharsis

Real Madrid is presented with a golden opportunity to breathe down Barça's neck in La Liga and redeem themselves from their Champions League woes. The defeat of the Catalan team against Las Palmas offers an excellent chance for Carlo Ancelotti's side to continue closing the gap on the leaders and heal some of the wounds opened by the debacle against Liverpool in the top continental competition. To achieve this, they must overcome Getafe, who have not scored at the Bernabéu in 16 years and arrive as one of the worst visitors in the league. A seemingly favourable scenario for the locals to achieve a much-needed victory as a form of catharsis.

"We must endure the moment with a good attitude and commitment because good things are coming," said Carlo Ancelotti even before knowing the third consecutive league setback of a leader that Real Madrid sees increasingly closer. The Whites will start with a four-point disadvantage but with two fewer games than their main rival, which would allow them to complete the 'sorpasso' if they do not fail in their pending commitments. The reigning champion's goal is to intensify the chase by securing victory in front of their fans this Sunday, before tackling four consecutive away games, three in the league and one in the Champions League, within a marathon that will see Ancelotti's men play seven matches in 22 days.

"The team's dynamics have improved in the last two league games, but we must consider that we are missing many players. The idea of having patience is correct," highlighted Carletto in the preview, who has long argued that his squad will fight for all titles as always despite the criticism received for a lacklustre game and the disappointing performance of Mbappé, whom he again supported, attributing the difficulties to a "collective problem" and "not individual" of the '9'.

"Mbappé's problem is the one we all have. The idea is to try to bring out our best version, of him, of myself, of other players... The problem is of a team that has not yet been able to have continuity in the season and bring out its best version," explained Carletto, who declared himself "justifiably concerned." "It gives me confidence that the team is starting to defend well because it is the basics in football," he specified before "a demanding match" against Getafe, "as always against Bordalás' teams."

Real Madrid will face this clash depleted by the absences of Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, and Vinicius, but with the happy news of Rodrygo's return. Three weeks after being injured again against Osasuna, the '11' is ready to reappear against Getafe. His return could be crucial with Vinicius' absence and Mbappé's poor form.

With Lucas Vázquez back at right-back, Valverde will return to a midfield where Modric and Bellingham are fixtures, and where Ceballos seems to have an advantage over Arda Güler after the Turk's poor performance at Anfield. Asencio, who once again made his mark in England, will have a place in a rearguard where Fran García is expected instead of Mendy. The squad list highlights the presence of two defenders from La Fábrica, Loren and Diego Aguado, and Chema Andrés, a tall 19-year-old pivot from Castilla whom Ancelotti already called up for the visit to Anoeta and who is seen as a potential Rodri at the 'white house'.

All these elements will have to be faced by a Getafe that has not taken anything clear from the Bernabéu since February 2008, when they stormed it with a goal from Ikechukwu Uche. Like Real Madrid, the Azulones arrive depleted at the match. José Bordalás will not be able to count on Djené and Bertug Yildirim, who are suspended, nor on Carles Aleñá and Borja Mayoral, who are injured.

Getafe, who have only scratched two points away from home so far in La Liga, come from beating Valladolid at the Coliseum with goals from Álvaro Rodríguez and Nyom, and from overcoming Manises in the Cup, where they will face Orihuela on Thursday. The Bull, whose loan from Real Madrid does not contain a fear clause, threatens a team he dreams of returning to after making ten appearances under Ancelotti, but in which he failed to establish himself.

Real Madrid: Courtois, Lucas Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García, Valverde, Modric, Ceballos, Bellingham, Brahim, and Mbappé.

Getafe: Soria, Nyom, Duarte, Alderete, Diego Rico, Carles Pérez, Milla, Arambarri, Álex Sola, Uche, and Álvaro Rodríguez.

Referee: Hernández Hernández (Las Palmas Committee).

Time: 16:15 h.

Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu.

TV: Dazn.