Three talking points ahead of Getafe vs Real Madrid | La Liga GW 33 | OneFootball

The Copa del Rey final is just around the corner and Real Madrid will have 24 hours less than Barcelona to prepare for the clash. After all, they play their game in La Liga against Getafe tonight while Barcelona played on Tuesday.

Hansi Flick’s men showed no signs of slowing down as they once again took three points against Mallorca at Montjuic.

Real Madrid have their backs against the wall for a defeat will place them seven points behind the leaders with just five games to go.

Only a last minute screamer from Federico Valverde saved Los Blancos in their last game and they must show comprehensive improvement if they are to pull off a win tonight. After all, their game against the same opponent earlier this season was also not easy by any measure.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Getafe vs Real Madrid.

A big absence

Kylian Mbappe’s sending-off against Alaves was well deserved and the player’s challenge was unforgivable in many senses. However, he was lucky enough to get away with a one-game ban.

Unfortunately for Mbappe, however, his one-game ban has been overshadowed by an injury that he has not recovered from, limiting his participation despite the ban ending.

The Frenchman missed Los Blancos’ game against Athletic Club at the weekend owing to the ban but was supposed to be available later tonight for the game at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Now, however, he stands to miss the Getafe game as well.

With the top goalscorer out of action, it remains to be seen what plan Carlo Ancelotti devises in the final third to tackle Getafe’s low block.

Vinicius Jr. must step up and serve as the reference point in attack, but there is a good chance for young Endrick to start and make a difference on the night.

No Mbappe for Real Madrid against Getafe. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

A game to grind out

There are some games in La Liga every year that are a pain to get through, especially for the bigger teams in the league. Typically, these are against sides who deploy a low block and sit deep in their box offering no space to build up in the final third.

Getafe, of all teams in La Liga, are notoriously famous for playing this brand of football and it is clear, especially from their games against the bigger teams.

Playing at Getafe’s home ground only amps up the difficulty and Real Madrid will thus have a seriously uphill task at the Coliseum later tonight.

Jose Bordalas’ men will look to defend deep and suffocate Real Madrid in their box with little space to manoeuvre the ball. Given their recent difficulties in the buildup phase, Los Blancos are particularly ill-equipped to take the defence-intensive system down.

Expect a long and frustrating game for Carlo Ancelotti’s side with few chances created especially given the lack of creativity in the final third.

Clinical finishing will be key, but Mbappe’s absence complicates matters on that front as well. It will be a game to grind out until the final minute.

The big game in mind

Real Madrid are under intense pressure after their elimination from the UEFA Champions League was a major blow to their campaign.

And with Barcelona showing no signs of slowing down in the league, the cup may be their best chance at a trophy this season.

The final of the Spanish Cup will be held this weekend and will be anything but easy with Barcelona as the opponent. It is thus inevitable that Ancelotti has the next game on his mind even during tonight’s clash.

Rotations, in a limited capacity, can be expected from the Italian coach. How he balances the squad and optimises the XI on the field without hurting his team’s chances in the final will thus decide the game against Bordalas’ side.

One can expect some changes in defence with David Alaba likely to come in for one of the centre-backs. The likes of Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni can also start on the bench with cameos likely in the second half. Finding the balance will be key.