clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Real Madrid Vs Getafe, Liga 2013 Recap: Real Wins 4-1 Without Bale

Bale couldn't start but Real still got a 4-1 win.

Denis Doyle

Unfortunately enough for him, Gareth Bale never had the chance to start his first game at the Santiago Bernabéu after he had to leave the warm-up with problems on his left thigh. Isco started the game and took his place.

Getafe only needed five minutes to score their first goal, confirming that this team doesn't know how to start matches with intensity and focus. Cristiano Ronaldo turned the ball over in a very dangerous position and he argued with the referee instead of trying to recover the ball. Lafita's shot was deflected by Nacho and the ball hit the net.

Shortly after, Pepe equalized after Moyà saved a good chance by Cristiano Ronaldo, who found himself with enough space inside to box to control the ball and shoot. Minutes later, Cristiano missed another big chance. His first 20 minutes were not great at all.

The referee was not having a good night either, as he made some strange decisions against Real Madrid. Asier Illarramendi was brilliant for the first 30 minutes, making things easy for his teammates and trying not to put himself in danger. Illarra is a really good midfielder.

Real Madrid had another great chance in the 29th minute after a good long-range shot by Ángel Di María, who played on the left wing, leaving the center to Isco. Therefore, Real Madrid lacked some presence on the right wing, since Carvajal was the only player who tried to stay in that flank.

The referee called a penalty in the 32nd minute after Míchel -who was on Getafe's wall to defend a free-kick- touched the ball with his hand. Cristiano Ronaldo didn't miss this chance and scored Real Madrid's second goal.

Benzema had another subpar performance after his stellar game against Galatasaray. He blew a big chance off a cross by Dani Carvajal, and the fan started to boo him even though Florentino Pérez publicly said that the crowd should support every player on the roster.

The first half ended with Carvajal getting booked and Real Madrid trying to slow the tempo down a bit. Lafita had to leave the game with an injury and former Real Madrid Castilla playmaker Pablo Sarabia came in to replace him.

The second half started with a brilliant pass by Di María to Benzema. Unfortunately for the French player, the ball was a bit too long and Benzema never had a chance to score. The crowd has sentenced him already though, because Karim started to make wrong decisions on the pitch consequently. It is a shame to have your own fan base against you, but it's true that Benzema should improve. Luckily enough for him, Morata is his only competitor.

Di María and Illarramendi kept playing really well, and in the 58th minute, Isco scored his fifth goal of the season in just six games. He's a playmaker with the ability to score, and Ancelotti is lucky to have that kind of player on the roster.

Khedira completed a solid game with Illarramendi on the pitch. The German midfielder was able to go forward much more, since he had Illarramendi as a shield. It must be hard for the fans to choose the Man of the Match, because both Illarra and Di María played well enough to win that award. Considering that this was Illarramendi's debut at the Bernabéu, the Basque midfielder might be the most popular choice.

Benzema missed another big chance off a good cross by Arbeloa. The Bernabéu started to whistle him, but Arbeloa went to cheer Benzema up and show his support. The Bernabéu then tried to understand Benzema's feelings better and the crowd supported Benzema when the French player left the game for Morata. Álvaro Arbeloa is a true captain on the pitch and he changed the Bernabéu's feelings about the French player.

Getafe's defender Míchel saw a red card after an intentional foul on Jesé when the young forward was about to finish the play.

It was a fairly easy win for Real Madrid, even though the team still has to improve during the first minutes. One way or another, three more points before visiting Elche and receiving Atlético Madrid.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Managing Madrid Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of Real Madrid news from Managing Madrid