Real Madrid suffered a significant 0:1 defeat against Getafe in a home match, marking their second consecutive league loss for the first time since May 2019. Martín Satriano stunned the hosts with a volley from 17 meters in the 39th minute. The game also saw late drama with Real’s Franco Mastantuono receiving a red card in the 90.+5 minute, followed by a yellow-red for Getafe’s Liso in the 90.+7. This result widens the gap between Real Madrid and current league leaders Barcelona, now coached by Hansi Flick, to four points, putting pressure on the Spanish record champions as the season progresses.
The unexpected loss to Getafe comes on the heels of another defeat (1:2) against CA Osasuna on the previous matchday. The last time Real Madrid experienced two consecutive La Liga losses was in 2019 against Real Sociedad and Real Betis, though at that point, Barcelona had already secured the league title. Despite the setback, Real coach Álvaro Arbeloa expressed determination, stating, “Here no one gives up. This is Real Madrid.” He emphasized the team’s belief in overcoming the four-point deficit. Arbeloa acknowledged that Real “could have played better” but maintained that his players gave their all and created more clear-cut scoring opportunities, registering 18 shots compared to Getafe’s nine. He conceded, however, that merely deserving a win isn’t enough in football, praising Getafe’s strong performance.
A major factor in Real Madrid’s recent struggles is the absence of their star striker, Kylian Mbappé. The club confirmed that Mbappé was in France for further medical examinations on his knee. The injury, described as a “knee sprain,” currently requires conservative treatment, with no surgery planned. Mbappé, accompanied by Madrid staff, has been grappling with a lateral ligament injury in his left knee for some time, leading to intermittent breaks. He notably missed the Champions League playoff return leg against Benfica earlier this week due to persistent pain, as reported by sources close to him.
Mbappé’s recovery is expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period, as coach Arbeloa indicated last week to Movistar. “It will not only be a matter of days but will take somewhat longer, but I cannot say exactly how long. Hopefully not too long,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of a 100% recovery. The 27-year-old is Madrid’s most prolific offensive player this season, boasting an impressive record of 38 goals and six assists in 33 competitive appearances. His absence comes at a critical juncture for Real Madrid, with the decisive phase of the season approaching, including a challenging Champions League Round of 16 clash against Manchester City (March 11 and 17) and a potential quarter-final encounter with Bayern Munich.
