Real Madrid get off to a bad start in 2022 with defeat at Getafe

An early goal from Enes Unal in the first half was enough for Getafe to grab a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez and bring an end to Real Madrid's 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

With Vinicius Junior sidelined due to COVID-19, Carlo Ancelotti took many by surprise when the starting line-up was announced, as Eden Hazard was dropped and Rodrygo Goes was selected to cover for his compatriot on the left flank.

Real Madrid tried to impose their style of play on Getafe and dominated possession from the off. However, the hosts pressed high up the pitch as they looked to force a Los Blancos error when building out from the back, and they managed to do so nine minutes in.

Eder Militao looked to be in control of the ball just outside his team's box, but Enes Unal outmuscled the Brazil international and took advantage of his opponent's lack of concentration to steal the ball and smoothly beat Thibaut Courtois by placing it into the back of the net.

Real Madrid pushed forward instantly and piled the pressure on Getafe, but they were unlucky to hit the woodwork in the 18th minute when Luka Modric unleashed a thunderous effort from the edge of the box, with the ball crashing against the crossbar.

Toni Kroos failed to hit the target just a couple of minutes later, but from that point on Real Madrid struggled to find a way to break down Getafe's low block before the break.

Carlo Ancelotti freshened up his side at half time, with Eden Hazard replacing Marco Asensio and Ferland Mendy making way for Marcelo, but Los Blancos looked uninspired in the final third.

Jorge Cuenca brilliantly blocked a Karim Benzema strike from inside the box in the 67th minute and David Soria produced an excellent save to deny Casemiro 10 minutes later, as frustration grew amongst the Real Madrid players and coaching staff.

Real Madrid pinned Getafe back to their own box in the last 15 minutes and they mainly tried to threaten by putting crosses into the box, but Los Azulones were solid at the back and secured all three points on home soil.

Real Madrid remain top of the LaLiga Santander table with 46 points after 20 games played, while Getafe are now three points clear of relegation zone with this huge win over the league leaders.

Match Sheet

1 - Getafe: Soria; Suarez, Cabaco (Nyom, min. 83), Mitrovic, Cuenca, Olivera; Maksimovic, Alena (Florentino, min. 74), Arambarri; Sandro (Mata, min. 64), Enes Unal (Jankto, min.83).

0 - Real Madrid: Courtois; Lucas Vazquez (Peter Gonzalez, min.85), Militao, Alaba, Mendy (Marcelo, min. 46); Kroos (Isco, min. 85), Casemiro, Modric; Asensio (Hazard, min. 46), Benzema, Rodrygo (Mariano, min.67).

Goals: 1-0, min. 9: Enes Unal.

Referee: Mario Melero Lopez (Malaga).

Yellow cards: Suarez (min. 56), Arambarri (min. 82) and Olivera (min. 90+6) for Getafe, Rodrygo (min. 21) and Casemiro (min. 87) for Real Madrid.

Red cards: None.

Stadium: Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

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