Real Madrid ratings vs Getafe: Arda Guler keeps Los Blancos alive! Youngster’s wonder strike delivers narrow win to maintain pressure on Barcelona in La Liga title race

Real Madrid ratings vs Getafe: Arda Guler keeps Los Blancos alive! Youngster’s wonder strike delivers narrow win to maintain pressure on Barcelona in La Liga title race
The Turkish teenager scored the only goal to illuminate a drab 1-0 win for Carlo Ancelotti’s side to stay in the title bidding

Arda Guler played hero for Real Madrid against Getafe, scoring the only goal in an otherwise tepid contest to lead Los Blancos to a 1-0 win. Madrid were admittedly poor against their city rivals, but Guler’s first-half moment of magic spared any blushes – and kept them within touching distance of Barcelona in the title race.

The Turkish youngster bagged what proved to be the winner after a slow start, weaving between two defenders before smashing one into the bottom corner from outside the box. Endrick almost made it two shortly after, but saw his deflected strike cleared off the line. Madrid were otherwise sloppy in the first period, settling for nearly moments and half chances.

Brahim Diaz provided a decent effort to extend the lead after the break, only to see his curler well denied by the goalkeeper. Getafe, for their part, threatened in moments. Mauro Arambarri came closest, dragging a shot wide after finding himself unmarked in the box. It was otherwise a bit of a limp to the final whistle – neither side holding onto the ball for long, or creating much. Getafe had one last chance, drawing a nifty save out of Thibaut Courtois in stoppage time to hold onto the lead.
Still, this has been a poor run for Madrid, and results make the difference. Three points, no matter how they come, is never a bad thing. Attention now turns to a massive Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

GOAL rates Real Madrid’s players from Estadio Coliseum…
Getafe CF v Real Madrid CF – La Liga EA SportsGetty Images Sport
Goalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (7/10):

Made a fine save late on to hold onto the 1-0 lead.

Lucas Vazquez (7/10):

Up and down on the right wing. Linked well with Diaz and Guler. Did his job defensively.

Raul Asencio (7/10):

Dealt with Borja Mayoral effectively – especially when Getafe resorted to knocking it long.

David Alaba (6/10):

A solid, if relatively untroubled, hour at centre-back. He’s still working his way back to full fitness.

Fran Garcia (6/10):

Dealt with the long ball well, but was wasteful in the final third – putting a couple wide.
Getafe CF v Real Madrid CF – La Liga EA SportsGetty Images Sport
Midfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):

Won his duels at the base of midfield. Solid at the back when moved there.

Arda Guler (8/10):

Opened the scoring with a lovely strike. Found all sorts of clever angles and tight spaces. Completed the most passes in the match. He always impresses when given a chance.

Federico Valverde (5/10):

Basically anonymous. Played 90 minutes, ran loads, but didn’t make an impact at all after his weekend heroics.
Attack

Vinicius Jr (6/10):

Took on defenders relentlessly, made space for himself, but was incredibly wasteful when it mattered. He’s struggled of late.

Endrick (6/10):

Ran the channels, and can’t be faulted for his effort. Unlucky to miss out on a goal after a fine defensive intervention.

Brahim Diaz (6/10):

Buzzed around the final third, and could have done better once or twice.
Subs & Manager

Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):

Offered plenty of bite but didn’t help Madrid when they needed to keep the ball.

Jude Bellingham (5/10):

Very sloppy after coming on, offering neither an outlet nor much composure.

Rodrygo (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Dani Ceballos (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Carlo Ancelotti (6/10):

Rotated heavily with one eye on the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona this weekend. Madrid were pretty turgid once again, but he will certainly take the result.