Real Madrid lose momentum in title race with Getafe draw

Real Madrid missed the chance to once again close the gap on Atletico Madrid to one point as they were held to a 0-0 draw by relegation-threatened Getafe.

Zinedine Zidane, without Casemiro and Nacho Fernandez through suspension, rotated his squad following the Champions League quarter final win over Liverpool during the week, with Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos rested.

Getafe came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when Jaime Mata struck the woodwork with Thibaut Courtois beate. Mariano Diaz also had a goal disallowed for offside while the striker also had a header cleared off the line.

Benzema was introduced off the bench in the second half with 20-year-old Antonio Blanco also given his La Liga debut as a substitute, but Real Madrid still struggled to create opportunities as they were held to a goalless draw.

In ordinary circumstances, this would be a disappointing result for Real Madrid in the midst of a title race at the top of La Liga. However, these were not ordinary circumstances. Zidane spoke about how tired his players were before kick off, forcing him to rotate his squad. Real Madrid were also missing a number of key figures through injury and positive Covid-19 tests. All things considered, this may have been the best possible outcome for the defending champions.

There was only one candidate for Man of the Match with Courtois doing more than anyone else to affect the final result. The Belgian was called upon to make a number of crucial saves, earning Real Madrid a point. Courtois is arguably enjoying the best season of his Real Madrid career and this performance demonstrated all that makes him one of the best goalkeepers in the game right now.

Getafe - Soria 7, Nyom 5, Dakonam 5, Timor 6, Olivera 7, Arambarri 6, Maksimovic 6, Alena 7, Unal 5, Cucurella 5, Mata 6. Subs - Angel 7, Damian 5.

Real Madrid - Courtois 8, Odriozola 5, Militao 6, Chust 7, Marcelo 5, Modric 5, Rodrygo 5, Isco 6, Asensio 5, Vinicius 5, Mariano 6. Subs - Benzema 5, Blanco 5, Arribas 4.

10’ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... NO! Mariano rounded the goalkeeper and put the ball in the back of the net, but the flag has gone up for offside! The goal has been chalked off!

23’ Off the woodwork! This time Courtois is beaten by a strike by Mata, but the post comes to Real Madrid's rescue to prevent Getafe from taking the lead! That's the closest we have come so far!

27’ Cleared off the line! Soria gets it all wrong and is beaten to a Marcelo cross by Mariano, but he couldn't quite get the ball to cross the line as Timor got back to scramble away the clearance!

58’ What a save! So close to being a stunner from Unal, his right-footed shot was heading for the top corner of the Real Madrid net, but Courtois gets a hand up to tip the strike over the bar!

79’ Courtois saves his team again! Maksimovic gets the shot away from the edge of the box, the effort picked up a wicked deflection and was spinning into the net, but Courtois pushes over!