Real Madrid given triple boost ahead of El Clásico

It was Real Madrid’s turn to roll up their sleeves after the international break, facing a tricky away match at the Coliseum against a tough and always combative Getafe side. The hosts lived up to their reputation, making the three points Xabi Alonso’s men earned feel hard-fought and costly. Madrid’s 1-0 win came thanks to yet another goal from Mbappé—who else?—after Getafe were reduced to ten men following a controversial red card shown to Nyom.

Getafe later went down to nine men when Sancris was sent off for a second yellow, yet they still had a clear chance to equalize and spoil Xabi’s night. Courtois came to the rescue once again—the Belgian’s trademark save that seems to happen every match. The goalkeeping hierarchy is beyond doubt. And ahead of next weekend’s Clásico, Madrid’s lineup choices became much clearer in Getafe. For a crucial week with games against Juventus and Barcelona, the starting eleven now looks practically set.

After the break, and having seen limited minutes in previous matches—the derby defeat had cost him his place in the lineup—Xabi Alonso handed Rodrygo a start at the Coliseum. The Brazilian began brightly but faded as the game wore on. His numbers were modest: three chances created, one shot on target, three successful dribbles out of four, and five recoveries. He was close to making something happen but ultimately fell short. When Vinicius entered in the 54th minute, Rodrygo shifted to the right wing.

Rodrygo has made it clear he wants to compete for minutes in his preferred position on the left—unfortunately for him, that spot belongs to Vinicius. And the Clásico left no doubts: Vini’s performance underlined how his mere presence changes games. He draws defenders, tilts the balance, and forces chaos. It was his play that provoked the foul leading to Nyom’s red card, and another challenge on him saw Sancris sent off as well.

Even without directly contributing to the winning goal, Vinicius was pivotal. He registered two shots, completed 10 of 13 passes, and struggled in dribbles (0 for 5), yet his impact was undeniable—his interventions reduced Getafe to nine men.

Madrid’s midfield was physical and full of energy but short on ideas. Tchouaméni looked scattered, while Camavinga and Bellingham, both excellent ball carriers, found it harder to break down a compact, organized opponent. The solution came from the bench: Xabi took his time, but once he brought on Arda Güler, everything changed.

Güler revitalized Madrid’s attack. He touched the ball 39 times, completed 29 of 30 passes, created one chance—and that one chance produced the winning goal, threading a perfect through ball for Mbappé to make it 1-0. The connection between the Turk and the Frenchman keeps delivering: it was Güler’s fourth assist for Mbappé in La Liga, a partnership unmatched by any duo in the competition.

It’s now hard to imagine a Real Madrid without Güler in major games. His absence from the starting eleven in Getafe was simply to rest him before a demanding week against Juventus and Barcelona. In the Clásico, he’ll lead the team’s playmaking duties—leaving an out-of-form Camavinga likely on the bench. That could change if Carvajal doesn’t recover in time; in that case, Valverde would drop to right-back, and Camavinga might reclaim a spot in midfield.

Bellingham, meanwhile, was the talk of Madrid’s international break. The Englishman stayed in Spain to build fitness after an unusual summer without a full preseason, and Xabi Alonso himself admitted it would be hard to imagine a lineup without him going forward.

Back in the starting eleven at Getafe—his first start since the derby, a decision Xabi now privately views as a mistake—Bellingham showed signs of progress: two shots on target, three chances created, 38 accurate passes out of 42, two successful dribbles, and seven fouls won. He’s not yet at his best, but he’s clearly closing the gap and looks ready to board the Clásico train—one that Mastantuono might be stepping off.

The young Argentine, remains stuck. Against Getafe, he had a few bright moments but lacked sharpness in finishing and connection—just 12 accurate passes in nearly an hour. His frustration was evident when Alaba took a free kick he had earned, and again when he was substituted for Vinicius. Xabi still values his personality and defensive effort, especially for an 18-year-old, but at this stage, he seems likely to drop out of the starting eleven.

That leaves the tactical question between Bellingham and Güler: who plays as the inside forward, and who as the advanced midfielder? Who drives the team’s buildup, and who roams freely across the attacking line? According to Xabi Alonso, the answer is both:

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“They can both play in either role. Even Jude, a bit deeper, can swap positions. Güler brings quality when we need more control in buildup or creativity between the lines. But when he turns and finds that final pass, he connects perfectly with Vinicius and Mbappé. He’s being decisive. We have to nurture those partnerships, both centrally and on the wings. And with the players we have, that’s exactly what we’ll do.”

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