Three talking points as Real Madrid face Getafe in La Liga | OneFootball

Real Madrid ensured they remain in the La Liga title race with FC Barcelona as they got a 1-0 win over Athletic Club in their last league encounter. Getting this win was not really easy for the Merengues, and it was only in injury time when Federico Valverde scored the only goal of the game to give his side the win and the full three points.

3 days after that game, Los Blancos have another stern test awaiting them in La Liga, as they face their cross-town rivals Getafe for the matchday 33 encounter. Jose Bordalas’ side is one of the toughest defensively in the league, and Carlo Ancelotti will have to get his forward line firing on all cylinders to ensure they leave with the full three points.

Keeping in view the context of the game, the following three will be the main talking points for Vikings fans ahead of this match:

1: Who will make the difference for Real Madrid tonight?

As was the case in the last league game against Athletic Club, Real Madrid will once again be without their top-scorer in La Liga in this game, i.e., Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has served the one-game suspension for the red card he got in the game against Alaves, but is also nursing a sprain, and thus remains unavailable for this game.

In his absence, Vinicius Junior led the Los Blancos’ attack in the last game. However, the only goal the Brazilian was able to score was chalked off for offside, as Endrick was slightly ahead of the last defender in the build-up.

Federico Valverde ultimately proved to be the difference-maker for his side, as his rocket of a shot ended up in the back of the net in injury time.

Tonight, the Vikings face another strong defensive side, and it remains to be seen who will get the goal to hopefully give his side the full three points.

2: Will the Merengues remain in the race for the league title?

However, it is not a given that Real Madrid will score or win this game, and Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have to work quite hard to beat their neighbours. They will be driven to get the win, as the Merengues will go into this game trailing Barcelona by 7 points, and any dropped points can effectively put an end of their title aspirations this season.

Thus, as has been the case for the last several weeks, another question lingering in the minds of the Los Blancos’ fans will be whether their team will be able to keep up the pressure on the Blaugranes with a win in this game.

3: Will Ancelotti make rotations ahead of the Copa del Rey final?

Following immediately this match against Getafe, Real Madrid have a final to play as they face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey on Saturday. The Catalans played their league game last night and thus will get an extra day of rest ahead of the final, while Hansi Flick also rotated several of his starters in this match against Mallorca.

For tonight, it remains to be seen whether Ancelotti will follow suit and rest some of his key starters, especially the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Federico Valverde, and Rodrygo, who all have played a lot this season, or whether he will see the game against Getafe as a final in itself as the La Liga trophy is also on the line.