Getafe 2-1 Real Madrid: Gutsy Geta come from behind to seal famous win

0-1 Higuaín 27'
1-1 Juan Valera 53'
2-1 Abdel Barrada 75'

Hosts turn on the style in the second half to pick up first win of the season...
... Visiting champions laid low despite enjoying a fine first period...

Real Madrid were stunned by giant-killing Getafe on Sunday afternoon after surrendering a Gonzalo Higuaín lead to the home outfit, who leveled through Juan Valera before Abdel Barrada netted the winner fifteen minutes from time.

The visitors were by far the better team in the first half and should have taken the lead after nine minutes when Mesut Özil almost sprung Cristiano Ronaldo clean through in the box, only for David Abraham to sweep in and clear at the last moment.

Six minutes later the Blancos produced the most beautiful play of the afternoon, Özil and Ronaldo trading passes several times around the area before the young German was free to shoot. However, the ex-Hamburg man inexplicably hit the woodwork when faced with an open goal.

Midway through the first half Gonzalo Higuaín finally found the net for Madrid, getting on the end of Ángel di María's excellent through ball, waltzing past Abraham and Alexis, and placing the ball past Miguel Moyà.

Geta had Moyà to thank four minutes from the break after an excellent stop from Cristiano Ronaldo, who was once again fed by the tireless Özil.

For the hosts the end of the first period was a relief, and they began the second half with renewed vigour. This paid off in short order as the brilliant Abdel Barrada's free-kick found Juan Valera free in the box to score his first goal since his strike against Barcelona in the 1-0 win of November 2011.

Fifteen minutes from time Abdel Barrada himself was on the scoresheet, capitalising on good play from Adrián Colunga and some sloppy Real Madrid defending to poke home past the helpless Iker Casillas.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a clear opportunity as the match entered stoppage time, and it was all Madrid could do to wonder how they threw away their first half superiority.

Meanwhile Getafe can look back on another famous win over one of the 'Big Two', this one comprising their first three points of the season. This places them above Real Madrid in the table, a situation that, while unlikely to last, is certainly welcome.

Geta travel north next week to face Deportivo in La Coruña, while Real Madrid have until Wednesday to recover for the Super Copa second-leg clash with Barcelona, José Mourinho's side looking to overturn a 3-2 disadvantage from the first match at Camp Nou.

Getafe: Moyà; Juan Valera, Abraham (Lopo 50), Alexis, Miguel Torres; Míchel, Xabi Torres; Abdel Barrada (Mehdi Lacen 84), Lafita, Diego Castro; Miku (Adrián Colunga 69). Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo (Callejón 73); Lass Diarra (Benzema 58), Xabi Alonso; Di María (Morata 79), Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Higuaín.

Real Madrid 4-2 Getafe: Controversial penalty puts dampener on Miku masterclass

1-0 Benzema 13'
1-1 Miku 38'
2-1 Cristiano Ronaldo 58' (pen.)
3-1 Benzema 69'
3-2 Miku 73'
4-2 Higuaín 87'

Getafe show spirit but it's not enough to pick up second point of the season...
... Debatable penalty was a decisive moment as the Blancos go top...

Getafe left the Santiago Bernabéu unashamed but still empty-handed after a 4-2 defeat at the hands of title contenders Real Madrid. The men in white took an early lead and looked dominant, but a fine performance from Miku showed that there is fight yet in the Azulones, who may feel that the result in the end does not do them justice.

Both teams lined up 4-2-3-1, Getafe replacing the slightly injured Mané with impressive debutant Tsepo Masilela at left-back. Pedro León was unable to start due to a contractual issue with parent club Real Madrid, while Diego Castro remained sidelined and Dani Güiza benched due to the great form of Miku. José Mourinho's first eleven was broadly as expected, although Fabio Coentrão occupied a defensive midfield slot in order to give Marcelo a chance to play an attacking, lateral role from the left flank.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 13th minute after a frantic start. Karim Benzema finished off a superb, rugby-esque move that saw the ball passed from the left flank straight to the centre in mere seconds despite passing through four pairs of legs. It went Marcelo to Coentrão to Mesut Özil and finally to the French forward: possession was moved laterally, and inches forward, allowing Benzema to bury the ball with ease from just inside the box with the element of surprise on his side.

But Getafe have a habit of making life difficult for the capital giants, and thus it proved seven minutes from the break as Miku made it two goals in two games. The Venezuelan left his marker Pepe stranded as he got on the end of a short pass from Mehdi Lacen and blasted past Iker Casillas.

Geta grew in confidence in the second period but almost paid for a moment of lax goalkeeping ten minutes after the break when Moyá spilled a Benzema effort for Coentrão to stab home. However, the former Benfica star was correctly ruled offside.

Moyá had to be alert again shortly before the hour mark as Ángel Di María drove a thunderous shot off the crossbar from 20 yards, the 'keeper coming off his line quickly to catch the fly-ball of a rebound.

His and Getafe's luck ran out  as seconds later Real Madrid had a penalty. Cata Díaz was judged to have tripped Cristiano Ronaldo in the box: minimal contact was indeed made, but questions remained as to whether or not it was within the area. Moyá went the right way but Ronaldo's effort was strong, true, and bound for the corner, thus giving his side the lead for the second time.

Ten minutes later the game seemed to be over as a contest as Moyá came off his line, only to be beaten by a furious Benzema effort from a narrow angle. Ronaldo's cross-field ball for the striker was world-class and the finish was just as emphatic.

But Madrid hadn't reckoned on the form of Miku, who pulled one back from ten yards after a goalmouth scramble after Casillas had only parried Dani Güiza's effort.

This was not the start of a comeback, because as Getafe pushed forward Madrid hit on the break, permitting just-on Gonzalo Higuaín to finish the match with a cool effort four minutes from time after a through ball from ex-Getafe midfielder Esteban Granero.

Getafe face local rivals Rayo Vallecano at home next week in a match that could see Diego Castro make his long-awaited debut.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Fabio Coentrão; Di María (Kaká 71), Özil (Higuaín 86), Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema (Granero 86). Getafe: Moyá; Valera, Miguel Torres, Cata Díaz, Masilela; Casquero (Güiza 70), Lacen; Pedro Ríos (Colunga 80), Juan Rodríguez, Sarabia (Abdel 70); Miku.

Real Madrid 4-0 Getafe: It all comes down to the wire

1-0 Cristiano Ronaldo 23'

2-0 Cristiano Ronaldo 57'

3-0 Benzema 76'

4-0 Cristiano Ronaldo 90'

Heavy defeat not unexpected, but no less damaging for that for Getafe...

... The relegation pack is ever more bunched together...

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo strode further towards the European Golden Shoe with an excellent performance at home to Getafe. For the hosts the result was meaningless; the visitors, meanwhile, are plunged further into trouble at the foot of the Primera División.

The hosts took the lead in the 23rd minute with a fine header from Ronaldo after a beautiful Mesut Ozil cross.

Getafe threatened little and deservedly went behind by two just before the hour mark. Ronaldo was on target again, side-footed into an empty net after Osky Ustari could only parry Ozil's shot into the path of Gonzalo Higuain for the assist.

Karim Benzema was in on the act fifteen minutes from time, getting on the end of a Xabi Alonso through pass to control and shoot with precision after just moments on the pitch.

Finally Ronaldo wrapped up his hat-trick in stoppage time from the penalty spot after Mané brought down the ex-Manchester United man in the box.

The only bright spot of the matchday was Real Sociedad's win over Zaragoza, which keeps Getafe in with a chance of salvation. A win over Osasuna on Sunday is now a must.

Real Madrid: Adán (Mejías 83); Arbeloa, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Lass Diarra; Di María, Özil (Adebayor 75), Cristiano Ronaldo; Higuaín (Benzema 75) Getafe: Ustari; Miguel Torres, Cata Díaz, Mario, Mané; Boateng, Casquero (Mosquera 63); Arizmendi, Parejo (Borja 70), Adrián Sardinero (Miku 46); Colunga.

Getafe-Real Madrid reactions: Ángel Torres says it wasn't a penalty, José Mourinho cagey, Dani Parejo argues Geta could have equalised

Ángel Torres: "Madrid didn't deserve this result. An error made the difference between us and them, but, well, this isn't our league, and we gave a good account of ourselves.

"Di María's penalty wasn't a penalty. If that merited a whistle you'd see 20 every day. Referees are human and make mistakes. Now we need to think ahead to Thursday and the Copa del Rey knockout stages.

"Dani Parejo? Madrid's idea is to recover, but we have to speak later."

Dani Parejo: "We had opportunities to level the game. We came out strongly, as this is a match that always motivates you to play well. Against Real Madrid we wanted to do our best to avoid what happened last year.

"Despite losing we played well. We had a positive mindset at all times: despite going two-nil down early on it was an open match. We gave Real Madrid some dangerous moments and the coach congratulated us despite our loss."

"The penalty? It was doubtful.

José Mourinho: "Penalties, I've only seen on TV, like that of weeks ago at Osasuna and Cristiano Ronaldo's at Camp Nou. From the bench it was difficult to see today's.

"It was a strange game: at the beginning it could have been a thrashing, but at the end of the first half it felt like we'd lost control and had to change focus. In the second half we started well and that calmed us, but Arbeloa's red card and the Getafe goal made us suffer untol the last second.

"Kaká is back and that's fantastic news for Real Madrid and the world of football."

Getafe 2-3 Real Madrid: Controversial penalty sets stage for hard-fought Blanco win

0-1 Cristiano Ronaldo (pen.) 11'
0-2 Özil 19'
1-2 Parejo 28'
1-3 Cristiano Ronaldo 57'
2-3 Albín 85'

Cristiano Ronaldo nets twice as Real Madrid win again...
... A match with two fine goals, two defensive gaffes, and one controversial penalty

Real Madrid were worth their win against Getafe at the Coliseum Alfono Pérez on Monday evening, but the debate over their opening goal is set to rage on long after the pitch is empty.

Angel Di María went down in the box under pressure from Getafe left-back Mané after eleven minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo converting the resulting spot-kick: still pictures show that Mané had a hand on the Argentine's shirt, but the Getafe players fiercely protested, stating that contact was minimal.

There were to be no question marks over the second goal. Di María was again involved, this time springing a perfect through ball for the fleet-footed Mesut Özil, who rounded Jordi Codina for a narrow-angled finish. A superb piece of teamwork it was, but it found the Getafe centre-backs wanting all the same.

Stats 53% Possession 47% 5 Shots on goal 5 3 Corners 2 87 Balls Lost 85 60 Balls Recovered 62 4 Yellow Cards 5 0 Red Cards 1 14 Fouls Committed 21

Of even finer quality was Dani Parejo's effort ten minutes later. The former Real Madrid youth halved the deficit with a superb solo effort, weaving past Raul Albiol and Lass Diarra into the box before firing past Iker Casillas into the far corner.

Getafe came out strongly after the break but succumbed to another Cristiano Ronaldo goal. Jordi Codina issued a dreadful clearance as far as Özil, who in turn provided Karim Benzema to set up CR9 for an easy finish.

The hosts tried to press forward but succeeded mainly in leaving themselves exposed at the back, resulting in a series of chances for Madrid: one of these, a three-on-one occasion, should have resulted in a goal, but a lazy finish from Benzema saw Codina gather the ball to his considerable relief.

In the last fifteen minutes - after Real Madrid's long-awaited reintroduction of Kaká - Getafe began to seize possession once more, and they were given a glimmer of hope in the 81st when Álvaro Arbeloa saw a second yellow card for handling a deep Mané cross.

Almost immediately Getafe took advantage, substitute Juan Ángel Albín bundling home a Pedro Mosquera cross after a dreadful touch in the box from Marcelo left the ball in the Uruguayan's path.

But despite pressing to the end neither side could add a sixth goal to the evening. Real Madrid thus end the weekend two points behind Barcelona at the top, while Getafe remain seventh on 26.

Getafe: Codina; Torres, Rafa, Cata Díaz, Mané; Boateng, Parejo; Pedro Ríos (Albín 47'), Gavilán (Mosquera 76'), Manu del Moral (Casquero 66'); Miku. Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo; Lass (Khedira 46'), Xabi Alonso; Di María, Özil (Garay 85'), Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema (Kaká 75').

Getafe-Real Madrid line-ups confirmed

Both teams have confirmed their line-ups for La Liga's matchday 17 encounter between Getafe and Real Madrid. The elevens and benches are as follows:

Getafe: Codina; Torres, Rafa, Cata Díaz, Mané; Boateng, Parejo; Pedro Ríos, Gavilán, Manu del Moral; Miku.
Subs: Ustari; Kas, Pintos; Mosquera, Casquero; Arizmendi, Albín.
Key points: Boateng recovers from flu in time to start. Otherwise it's as expected.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo; Lass, Xabi Alonso; Di María, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema.
Subs: Adán; Garay; Khedira, Gago, Granero, Pedro León, Kaka.
Key points: Lassana Diarra has won the race to join Xabi Alonso in midfield, rendering Sami Khedira a substitute. Kaká is expected to play at least some of the second half.

See also the Getafe-Real Madrid preview.

Derek Boateng and Borja set to miss Real Madrid clash

Borja Fernández has apparently not recovered in time to start against Real Madrid on Monday evening, according to Marca. The defensive midfielder remains absent, although he could recover in time for the Thursday clash with Real Betis.

More worrying is the fact that inspirational pivot Derek Boateng could well miss tonight's Madrid encounter. The Ghana international missed training last week due to flu and his recovery has not gone as quickly as hoped.

Nonetheless he has been included in the provisional 19-man list for tonight's game, with Alberto Escassi drafted in to cover in case Derek fails to make it.

Tonight's predicted line-up is thus amended to have Casquero in place of Boateng.

Real Madrid Castilla 0-1 Getafe B: Second string sets a good omen?

0-1 Rudy 2'

Getafe's reserves stay in the promotion hunt with a narrow away win...
... has the stage been set for a first team victory on Monday evening?

Getafe B pulled off a 1-0 win over their Real Madrid counterparts on Sunday afternoon in what Azules fans will hope was a dress-rehearsal for the match between the first teams on Monday night.

21-year-old midfielder Rudy scored his fourth league goal in five starts after just two minutes, and this proved to be the only strike of the game.

Thus Geta B remain in fifth place, one point and spot off the promotion play-off zone, while Castilla are a distant tenth.

Getafe B entered the Segunda B for the first time this season after winning their promotion play-off against Portugalete back in June.

Getafe - Real Madrid Preview: La Liga Jornada 17

Primera División: Jornada 17
Monday January 3, 22:00 CET
Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, Getafe

Getafe's much-deserved winter break will come to an end in dramatic circumstances on Monday night as the Azulones host near-neighbours Real Madrid in La Liga's seventeenth matchday.

The famous Galácticos are trying to keep pace with Barcelona at the league's summit, while Getafe's recent run of excellent form has propelled the hosts to seventh position in the table.

A mere look at the clubs' respective statures - not to mention wage bills - would suggest an easy away victory, but in fact matches between these sides are often close and frequently shocking. Overall Getafe have won fully four of the twelve league meetings between the sides, with the Blancos coming out victorious in six.

Familiarity may breed contempt among the fans, but the opposite is true at board level. Getafe president Ángel Torres is a Real Madrid socio, coach Míchel a former Bernabéu player, and of course there is no shortage of former Madrid talent in the Getafe line-up. At the other end, Pedro Léon left the Coliseum for Chamartín in the close season, while centre-back Raúl Albiol spent his early career at Geta on loan from Valencia.

Last Season Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe (Higuaín 2) Getafe 2-4 Real Madrid (Parejo, Pedro León - C. Ronaldo 2, Higuaín 2)

But the two sides' supporters, as mentioned, do not get on well. Real Madrid defeneder Pepe raked his studs down Javier Casquero's back in a fraught encounter at the end of the 2008-09 season; stewards at the Bernabéu have taunted Getafe fans in the past; and overall the atmosphere is not expected to be pleasant.

Getafe are still without Adrián Colunga and Pedro Mosquero due to injury, while Víctor Sánchez and Iván Marcano are suspended. Other than that, coach Míchel has pledged not to change from his usual 4-2-3-1, stating that Madrid hold no fear for his side. Borja Fernández's return from injury, meanwhile, could help the boss steel up the defensive midfield if so required in the second period.

Míchel's opposite number José Mourinho doesn't have his sorrows to seek: he has just two forwards available, with Gonzalo Higuaín still being out of commission. Plus, starting centre-backs Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe are both banned, meaning that a defensive reshuffle is on the cards. The only piece of good news for Mourinho is that Kaká is back after almost a year on the sidelines, although he may not start this encounter.

Probable line-ups

Getafe

Real Madrid

Esteban Granero Wants €600,000 From Getafe

According to As, Esteban Granero's father has emerged in the press to say that his son wishes to collect the 15% of the Getafe-Real Madrid transfer fee owed to him. Apparently Granero waived this sum when moving back to the Bernabeu as he was in line for a massive pay increase, but now wishes to collect, having never formally relinquished his right to it.

Angel Torres, naturally, implies that Granero's had his chance. This one's likely to run and run, but unless Geta managed to get it in writing that Esteban had legally surrendered his claim, it looks like they'll need to pay up...

We May Have Just Lost To Madrid...

But I'm proud of the effort that we put in during the 3-2 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu. There's no way that Real Madrid deserved to win that, and while that penalty miss may come back to haunt us there's no denying that Getafe still showed spirit and guts at a tough arena.

As for Javier Casquero, here's hoping that his back heals up after that disgraceful assault from Pepe, who raked his studs across him and also stamped on him.

Onwards and upwards. Villarreal at home this weekend. I reckon we can get all three.

Victory Redux

Since last we met - and I really do need to do something about this - it's been quite a run for El Geta.

First came the stunning 3-1 win over a beleaguered Real Madrid side:

Followed by a three-goal lead at Villarreal that, while followed up by our conceding three, still produced a credible draw:



And then last night was the 4-1 victory over Mallorca (video forthcoming.)

All told Geta are now 9th with four games to go until the halfway point, and one until the winter break.

The outstanding games before the halfway point are:

Osasuna (A)
Deportivo (H)
Numancia (A)
Racing (H)

With absolutely no disrespect to the teams involved this is a decent enough "run-in", and having taken five points from a possible nine against three of the biggest teams, and then thumped Mallorca, we have every reason to be confident.

Down in the Tercera with the B team, things aren't quite so good, yet Getafe B remain six points clear of the dropzone despite the heavy defeat to Alcobendas at the weekend.

AUPA GETA!

GRRRRANERO!

We've got him.

Despite his saying last month that he was determined to remain at Real Madrid, Esteban Granero has decided to join up with Getafe on a five-season deal.

There is, however, a buy-back option (as with Ruben de la Red's move.)

Granero made 27 Liga appearances for Los Azulones last season.

The Unknown Soldier

As is claiming today that Geta are on the verge of sealing the signature of Roberto Soldado for €8m.

The Spanish international was brought back to Madrid at the beginning of last season following an impressive loan spell at Osasuna, with whom he hit a double-figure goal tally in his first season of any length in the top flight.

As a son of the Bernabéu cantera he was re-acquired amidst much fanfare and integrated into Bernd Schuster's first team squad ahead of the Liga campaign. But as a true son of the cantera he then sat in the stands chewing gum with the rest of the ballast.

In any case the 'boy soldier' is understandably none too pleased at being given the 'number 9' shirt and then treated more like a 99, and thus it will be of little surprise if he flakes out on Madrid during the summer.

Benfica and Espanyol seemed to be close to signing him at one point, but now it seems as though Getafe are in the lead. Should sr. Torres sign the €8m cheque for the 23-year-old Valencian then he will also become our record signing.

In news equally as exciting, Esteban Granero is apparently having second thoughts about his decision to remain at Real Madrid, come what may, next season. Having enjoyed such a stellar season with the Azulones, he may opt to come back if he decides that first team action for the blancos will be a step too far next season.

Valverde Un-Close To Getafe

After Ernesto Valverde quit Espanyol yesterday, he added that he's looking to stay in Spain. That's significant: clubs in Greece - and allegedly Turkey - have shown an interest in him, but if he's looking to stay in his homeland then one obvious choice presents itself: Getafe.

I think that Valverde would be a good, stabilising influence ahead of what's set to be a season of transition, and I hope that he is appointed.

Scratch all that. He's joined Olympiacos. Ah, well.

Elsewhere, Angel Torres has been out and about saying that he hopes to hold onto Esteban Granero for another season.

Real Madrid 0 - 1 Getafe

Incredible.

As if beating AEK midweek by three goals - and being the only Spanish side left in the UEFA Cup - wasn't enough, Getafe are now the only side to have taken points from the Bernabeu this season.

The goal was incredible: with Real Madrid celebrating a disallowed goal, Geta hit on the break, with Uche eventually teeing up the shot and side-footing past Iker Casillas.

For all their attacking masterclass at home, the blancos really didn't offer too much beyond that. Thus, Getafe leave with all three points.

Speechless. Aupa Geta!