Tag: Real Madrid

Bayern Munich veteran Manuel Neuer is saddling up for Wednesday’s Real Madrid quarter-final second leg at home in what could be his final season before riding off into the sunset.

Though not the risk-hungry, ‘sweeper keeper’ of his prime, the two-time Champions League winner was outstanding in Bayern’s 2-1 first-leg victory in Madrid.

Named man of the match, Neuer made nine saves and succeeded in keeping Real’s danger men Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior at bay, for the most part.

Neuer, who turned 40 in March, has a contract in Munich until the end of the season.

Bayern seem willing to offer their long-time ‘keeper and captain another year, but Neuer has repeatedly said he is still weighing up his future.

The 2014 World Cup winner has struggled with muscle injuries in the past two seasons. Normally, the first name on the teamsheet, this campaign, he has missed 11 games as he battles persistent calf muscle strains.

Having already ruled himself out of World Cup contention this summer, ending the season with a third Champions League crown alongside a record-equalling 13th Bundesliga title would be a perfect sign-off.

While Bayern have always sat atop German football, Neuer’s arrival alongside other modern greats, including Thomas Mueller, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, helped push the club into the stratosphere.

Bayern Munich had never won more than three Bundesliga titles in a row before Neuer signed in 2011, but have only missed out twice in the 15 subsequent seasons.

Two of Bayern’s six Champions League titles have come with Neuer between the sticks.

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Neuer’s spectacular saves make highlight reels, but his leadership has been crucial as Bayern have rebuilt from 2023-24’s third-place Bundesliga finish, to once again contend for the Champions League.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, in just his second season managing a club with Champions League ambitions, said so after the first leg.

“Manu only has to say one sentence, and he brings order to the team. That’s why his role to me as a leader is just as important as what he does on the pitch,” Kompany said, adding Neuer “made things much easier for me at the beginning than I thought”.

Heading into Wednesday’s return leg, Manuel Neuer is the only current Bayern player to have experienced victory over two legs against Madrid. Since getting past the Spaniards in the 2012 semi-finals, Bayern had not even won a match against Los Blancos in their eight meetings, up until last week.

And the Gelsenkirchen native will have even more motivation to get across the line against Real this time around. Two years ago, with Bayern ahead against Los Blancos in the dying stages of their semi-final return leg, Neuer spilt a Vinicius shot, which Joselu tapped in to level things up.

Minutes later, Joselu scored again, and Bayern were eliminated, with Real going on to win the title at Wembley.

Despite their first-leg lead, Bayern know their opponents well, with 29 games between the sides, no European fixture has been played more, and remain wary of the Champions League specialists.

Real suffered another La Liga setback on Friday and are now nine points behind Barcelona, but Joshua Kimmich recognised that the 15-time winners can turn it on when they have the Champions League anthem ringing in their ears.

“It doesn’t matter at all what form Kylian Mbappe and his teammates are in. When it’s the Champions League, they perform,” Kimmich said Saturday.

“We know exactly who we are playing against. It’s a brutally difficult task,” Leon Goretzka said the same day. “We know how quickly they can create scoring opportunities. We know what to expect.”

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Real Madrid dropped more points in the Spanish title race with a frustrating 1-1 La Liga draw at home against Girona on Friday.

Fede Valverde drilled Alvaro Arbeloa’s side ahead early in the second half, but Thomas Lemar’s fine strike secured a point for the Catalan visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The draw against Girona brought Madrid within six points of La Liga leaders Barcelona, but the Catalans host local rivals Espanyol on Saturday when they could move nine points ahead with a victory.

Madrid head to Bavaria to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Wednesday, trailing 2-1, in the competition where their hopes of silverware this season now mainly lie.

Los Blancos were upset by a late penalty appeal not given after Girona defender Vitor Reis’ arm caught Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in the face.

“It’s a penalty here and on the moon,” complained Madrid coach Arbeloa. “Nobody understands it… when VAR gets involved, I imagine it’s when it suits them, and when it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.”

The coach admitted his team were not at their best following a third consecutive game without a win across all competitions.

“Without playing the most brilliant match we’ve played, it’s obvious and clear this is a game we should have won,” said Arbeloa, insisting Madrid would not give up in the title race despite their situation. “Until we lose La Liga, we’ll keep fighting for it… We have to fight until the last day.”

After Jude Bellingham impressed as a substitute in the first leg against Bayern, Arbeloa gave him his first start since January.

Real Madrid had the better of the first half but needed goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to save well from Azzedine Ounahi early on. At the other end, Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga denied Mbappe and Valverde as Los Blancos began to knock on the door.

Bellingham tested Gazzaniga early in the second half with a drive from the edge of the box, shortly before his team took the lead.

Valverde lashed in a shot from the edge of the box, which Gazzaniga tried to push out with his wrists but badly misjudged, and the ball flew past him and into the net.

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Madrid’s top goalscorer Mbappe mis-hit a shot when well placed, and Gazzaniga saved well at his near post to keep Vinicius at bay as Madrid tried to put the game to bed.

Instead, Girona pulled level, with former Atletico midfielder Lemar planting a superb strike from the edge of the box beyond Lunin’s helpless dive and into the bottom corner.

Arbeloa took off England international Bellingham shortly after the hour, with the visit to Munich in mind.

“We saw Bellingham feeling good, sharp, confident,” said Arbeloa. “This is the first game he’s started since coming back (from injury), but I think it’s done him a lot of good to get minutes, find rhythm… and I think we should be very pleased with his performance.”

Madrid’s hopes of a trophy appear to hinge on that match against Vincent Kompany’s side, with only seven La Liga matches remaining to try and overhaul Hansi Flick’s Barca, the reigning champions.

Gazzaniga beat away Mbappe’s shot, and the French superstar appealed in vain for a penalty as he collided with Reis in the box.

The defender caught the forward with his arm as Mbappe tried to dart behind him, leaving the French forward with blood on his face.

Six minutes of stoppage time were added on, but they were not enough for Arbeloa’s underwhelming team to conjure a late winner.

Girona, 12th, could make a late push for a European spot after spending much of the season battling relegation.

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Brazil forward Vinicius Jr. has expressed renewed confidence in his form, stating that he is determined to translate his club success with Real Madrid onto the international stage as preparations intensify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

Speaking ahead of Brazil’s international friendly against France, the 25-year-old admitted he is in a much better place mentally and physically after overcoming a difficult phase earlier in the 2025–26 season.

“I feel more at ease, I’m happier, and when I’m happier, everyone around me is happier and more confident too,” Vinicius said.

The winger endured a challenging start to the campaign, going through a 16-match goal drought and facing criticism from sections of the Santiago Bernabéu crowd. However, he has since rediscovered his rhythm, contributing 17 goals and 13 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.

Despite enjoying a decorated spell at club level, including multiple league titles and UEFA Champions League triumphs, Vinicius is yet to replicate that dominance consistently for Brazil. He has scored eight goals in 45 appearances for the five-time world champions.

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With his second World Cup approaching, the forward made it clear that performing for his country remains his ultimate ambition.

“I hope that everything I do for Real, I can go on to do here with the Brazilian national team. That’s my biggest goal. It’s where I’ve always dreamed of being, and I want to bring great pride to our country and a lot of joy to our entire nation,” he added.

Brazil are looking to bounce back after their quarter-final exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they were knocked out on penalties by Croatia. Vinicius, however, insisted he is focused on his own preparation and not external expectations.

“I know what I’m capable of and how much I’ve been working to be ready for the World Cup,” he said.

As Brazil continue to rebuild towards another title challenge, Vinicius’ resurgence could prove crucial in their bid to return to the top of world football.

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MADRID: France forward Kylian Mbappe has confirmed he is fully fit following a knee injury and is determined to feature in all of Real Madrid’s remaining matches as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup.

The 27-year-old missed four La Liga games this season due to a lingering knee issue from last year but returned to action on Sunday, coming off the bench in the 64th minute to help Madrid secure a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.

“I have made a 100% recovery,” Mbappe said.

“I prepared for the last two World Cups in the best way possible, which is to play, score goals, win titles, and fight until the last minute for my club, and this year I am going to do the same to arrive in top form.”

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Earlier in March, Real Madrid confirmed that Mbappe had re-aggravated the injury sustained in December, and the club opted for a conservative approach to his treatment.

His return against Atletico signalled a positive step in his run-up to the World Cup.

Mbappe is included in France’s squad for a pair of friendlies in the United States at the end of March, facing Brazil on March 26 and Colombia on March 29, as the nation gears up for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S. from June 11 to July 19.

Madrid’s victory over Atletico keeps the club four points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona, while attention also turns to an upcoming Champions League quarterfinal clash against Bayern Munich.

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Vinicius Junior struck twice as Real Madrid shaded Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling derby clash on Sunday to stay on leaders Barcelona’s tail at the top of La Liga.

After the Catalan giants edged Rayo Vallecano 1-0 earlier on, Madrid ensured the gap to the champions stayed at four points by beating Diego Simeone’s side at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ademola Lookman put Atletico ahead in the first half, but Vinicius and Federico Valverde’s strikes gave the hosts the lead soon after the interval.

Nahuel Molina equalised for Atletico, fourth, with a spectacular effort from distance, but Vinicius netted again to claim the three points for Los Blancos.

Valverde was sent off for hacking Alex Baena in the final stages, but his side held on to win in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first derby clash with Atletico since taking over in January.

After ousting Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, victory against Atletico completed a successful week for Arbeloa and his team.

A pulsating clash began with chances for both sides, with Valverde hitting the post after bursting in behind the Atletico defence.

At the other end, Andriy Lunin, playing in place of the injured Thibaut Courtois, fumbled Marcos Llorente’s drive but recovered quickly to grab the loose ball.

Vinicius came close to putting Madrid ahead, but Giuliano Simeone blocked twice in quick succession in his own six-yard box from the forward.

Atletico took the lead after 33 minutes with a slick team move, Giuliano Simeone backheeling the ball to Lookman, who slotted home.

Real Madrid netted two quickfire goals early in the second half as Atletico imploded.

Brahim Diaz showed fleet footwork in the area, and the unbalanced David Hancko felled the Morocco international.

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Vinicius tucked home from the spot in the 52nd minute, sending Juan Musso the wrong way.

Three minutes later, and Los Blancos were ahead, with Valverde charging down Jose Gimenez’s attempted pass and then firing past Musso with the outside of his boot.

Atletico pulled level with a brilliant Molina effort, rifled into the top corner from outside the box.

However, Madrid reclaimed the lead through Vinicius once more after Trent Alexander-Arnold fed him, and the Brazilian curled home.

It was Vinicius’s 10th goal in his last 11 matches across all competitions, with the forward in superb form.

Julian Alvarez almost levelled once more for Atletico, but his effort from the edge of the box crashed back off Lunin’s upright.

Arbeloa sent on Jude Bellingham as a substitute for his first appearance since February 1 after a hamstring injury, along with French superstar Kylian Mbappe.

Neither had much of an influence as Madrid were forced to defend after Valverde’s foul on Baena brought him a red card.

Madrid protested that it was not severe enough of an offence to merit a dismissal, but to no avail.

In 2023, Baena, then at Villarreal, accused Valverde of punching him after a game.

“It’s hard to understand…” said Arbeloa of Valverde’s red card. “But (afterwards) there were 15 minutes of teamwork, solidarity, defending well, and it didn’t end up being a problem.”

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Harry Kane scored in each half as Bayern Munich thumped Atalanta 4-1 at home in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, winning 10-2 on aggregate to book a quarter-final date with Real Madrid.

Captaining Bayern in the Champions League for the first time, Kane converted a penalty with 25 minutes played and added another goal early in the second half, bringing his career Champions League tally to 50 in 66 games.

Lennart Karl and Luis Diaz also got on the scoresheet for the hosts as Bayern again steamrolled the visitors, who picked up a late consolation through Lazar Samardzic.

“I think whenever you have a lead like we did, sometimes it’s easy to be a little bit complacent,” Kane, who missed the first leg with an injury, told DAZN.

“But we said before the game that we want to win in the same style that we did in the first leg. It’s sometimes harder to get up for a game like this, but we were there from minute one to minute 95.”

Bayern last faced Real in the semi-finals of the 2023-24 competition, crashing out to two Joselu goals in the dying minutes. Bayern have not beaten the Spanish giants since the 2011-12 semi-finals.

Few doubted Bayern would progress after their dominant 6-1 win in Bergamo — no team has ever overturned a five-goal deficit — but the Bundesliga leaders were forced to pick a weaker side on Wednesday due to injuries and suspensions.

With Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer and Alphonso Davies injured, Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise suspended, Bayern received some rare good news from the medical department when goalkeeper Jonas Urbig overcame a concussion and was cleared to play.

Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino was realistic, saying pre-match his charges were playing for the pride of Italian football as the only Serie A team left in the competition.

The visitors were energetic early, but their resistance was broken midway through the first half when VAR found Giorgio Scalvini had handled the ball from close range, bringing Kane to the spot.

The England captain’s first effort was saved, but he was given another chance as visiting ‘keeper Marco Sportiello had both feet off his line.

Kane obliged, driving a low shot into the corner for his 15th successful penalty in all competitions this season.

Urbig was called into action just before half-time, acrobatically saving a Mario Pasalic attempt to keep Bayern in front at the break.

Starting for the first time since last month, Kane looked sharp and doubled Bayern’s lead with 55 minutes gone, shrugging off the attention of four Atalanta defenders and blasting into the top corner on the turn.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said he “could not explain” Kane’s brilliant strike, gushing: “I’m so happy when he scores the simple goals, but when he does that, it’s unique.

“He’s come back fresh, and you can see how important he is for us.”

With Atalanta suddenly shaky, Bayern marched up the field and struck again, Diaz threading a pass for Karl to fire across the face of the goal and into the corner.

The teenage Bayern forward, tipped by German media for a maiden international call-up on Thursday, repaid Diaz with 20 minutes left, cutting a high pass over the Atalanta defence to the Colombian, who chipped Sportiello to score.

Like they did in Bergamo, Atalanta got a late consolation when Samardzic headed home from close range with five minutes left.

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Federico Valverde’s heavily deflected 95th-minute drive snatched injury-hit Real Madrid a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Friday.

The Uruguayan midfielder needed a stroke of fortune at the death to pull his team to within one point of leaders Barcelona, who visit Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Aurelien Tchouameni opened the scoring for Los Blancos early on, but Borja Iglesias soon pulled Celta level at their Balaidos stadium.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid, without injured striker Kylian Mbappe, had lost their previous two league games and are struggling to find consistent form.

Valverde’s shot, which flew into Celta’s net after bouncing off former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso, stopped his side from going three consecutive La Liga matches without a win.

“There’s a long way to go in La Liga, a lot of points left to play for… at this point it’s almost like La Liga has not started yet,” Arbeloa told reporters.

“Every game you’re playing against a team that has their own objectives, and each game will be a war.

“We came here with 10 players out, so I think our win deserves a lot of credit.”

As well as French superstar Mbappe, the team’s top goalscorer, Arbeloa was without several other players, including Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes and Eduardo Camavinga.

Despite the victory, Madrid’s form and their injury list does not inspire confidence ahead of next week’s Champions League last 16 clash against Manchester City.

Arbeloa started 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch for the first time, and he offered a decent display even as his team failed to impress.

Iglesias forced Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a solid low save with a drive from the edge of the box in the opening exchanges.

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Arbeloa’s side started well, and Vinicius Junior struck the post before Tchouameni put them ahead in the 11th minute.

The French midfielder produced a fine finish from the edge of the box as Madrid worked a corner to him, his strike hitting the upright on its way in.

Celta were not discouraged, though, and some poor defending from Trent Alexander-Arnold let them back in.

The England international allowed Williot Swedberg to get in behind him and then lacked the agility to block off the Swede, who cut the ball across for Iglesias to finish.

Courtois made a good save to keep Swedberg at bay before the break, as sixth-place Celta largely gave as good as they got.

Madrid appealed for a penalty when Ferran Jutgla handled the ball in the box, but a VAR review showed there was a push on a Celta defender just before and no spot kick was awarded.

Celta substitute Iago Aspas hit the post late on, and it seemed like his team were destined for a point as the clock ticked down.

However, in the final minute of stoppage time, Valverde’s effort from the edge of the box hit Alonso and left Celta goalkeeper Ionut Radu wrong-footed.

“We hardly gave up any chances, and the shot at the end was well defended, so we’re a bit annoyed (to lose),” Iglesias told Movistar.

Arbeloa said he hoped Madrid’s determination to claim the three points could be a platform to build from going forward.

“I know we can do a lot of things better, but with the personality and character we showed today, I hope that this is a turning point and from here everything goes a lot better,” added Arbeloa.

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Real Madrid will “keep fighting” as long as they mathematically have a chance of winning La Liga, after slipping four points behind Barcelona, under-pressure coach Alvaro Arbeloa said on Thursday.

Los Blancos visit Celta Vigo on Friday, hoping to move back within one point of Barcelona ahead of the reigning champions’ match at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Madrid lost their lead at the top of the table with a defeat at Osasuna a fortnight ago, before being humbled at home by Getafe last weekend to increase the scrutiny on Arbeloa.

“We’re four points behind, not 18. This is Real Madrid. As long as we can mathematically fight, we will, and if there ever comes a time when we can no longer fight, we will still keep fighting,” said Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso as coach in January.

“In the dressing room, we’re aware that there’s still a lot of the season left.

“We’ve had two consecutive league defeats. Of course, at a club like Real Madrid, defeat is always difficult to handle because of the expectations and the pressure, but right now the only thing we’re thinking about is tomorrow’s match.”

Madrid have been hit badly by injuries in recent weeks.

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Brazilian winger Rodrygo Goes joined Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury against Getafe which will likely see him miss the World Cup in the summer.

Centre-back Dean Huijsen will also sit out the game at Celta through suspension.

“When you’re winning and everyone is playing well, it’s easy to wear this shirt,” added Arbeloa, who insisted that he would not “make excuses” due to the injuries.

“We need to show our true potential now. It’s in moments like these that you see if we’re worthy of wearing this shirt and this badge.”

Real Madrid host Manchester City in their Champions League last-16 first leg next Wednesday.

Mbappe has travelled to Paris for treatment on his knee injury, and Bellingham is in London, with both hoping to recover in time to face City.

Arbeloa said that any decisions about the players’ fitness would be taken “by the medical services of Real Madrid”.

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France captain Kylian Mbappe was in Paris on Monday for treatment on a knee injury, but no surgery is planned, the Real Madrid superstar’s entourage told AFP.

Real Madrid later said the forward has been diagnosed with a knee sprain in the French capital and will follow a “conservative” treatment plan.

Mbappe was “in Paris accompanied by members of the Real Madrid medical staff,” the striker’s camp said in a statement.

“In agreement with the club, he is undergoing further tests on his knee,” it continued, “to optimise his follow-up care and prepare for his comeback. No surgical intervention is being planned at the moment.”

Madrid, who face Getafe on Monday without their top scorer Mbappe, revealed the diagnosis of his injury.

“After tests carried out on our player Kylian Mbappe by French specialist doctors, under the supervision of Real Madrid’s Medical Services, the diagnosis of a sprain in his left knee has been confirmed, as well as the suitability of the conservative treatment currently being followed,” said the Spanish giants in a statement.

Mbappe has been struggling with an injury to the external ligament of his left knee since the end of 2025 and missed last week’s Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica due to “persistent pain” in training, sources close to the player said.

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His entourage insisted there was no disagreement regarding the treatment required by the player between his club and the French national team, who will be desperate to have Mbappe fully fit for the upcoming World Cup.

“It was a bit of a consensus between everyone (Mbappe, the coach and the doctors), and we think the best thing is that he stops, that he recovers and comes back at 100 percent,” Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa told broadcaster Movistar late last week.

“It’s not going to be a question of days; it will be a bit longer, but I can’t say how long, hopefully not too long.”

It remains to be seen if Mbappe, who has scored 38 goals in 33 appearances for his club this season, will be able to play in the Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City, the first leg of which is scheduled for March 11 with the return on March 17.

France have two friendly matches lined up in the United States at the end of the month, against Brazil in Boston on March 26 and Colombia in Washington three days later.

Their first World Cup game is on June 16 against Senegal.

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Real Madrid fell to a damaging 1-0 defeat by Getafe at home in La Liga on Monday, leaving them four points behind leaders Barcelona.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, beaten by a superb volley from Martin Satriano, suffered a second consecutive loss in the Spanish top flight for the first time since 2020.

Madrid forward Franco Mastantuono was sent off in stoppage time for apparent dissent to make a bad night worse for Los Blancos.

“Obviously, it’s a match where we could have done things better, but I think my players tried and we had more clear chances than them,” Arbeloa told reporters.

“However, in football, deserving isn’t enough, and Getafe played a great game.”

With French superstar Kylian Mbappe in France to treat a knee sprain, Madrid lined up with Gonzalo Garcia in attack alongside Brazil star Vinicius Junior at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid were beaten at Osasuna last weekend, allowing rivals Barca to overtake them in the title race, and Hansi Flick’s side stretched their lead by thrashing Villarreal on Saturday.

Vinicius, in excellent form in 2026 after an inconsistent start to the season, spurned a fine early chance.

The winger burst through on goal, but David Soria saved well with his leg.

A brilliant roulette from Arda Guler nearly earned Madrid the breakthrough, but Soria tipped over the Turkish forward’s strike.

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Getafe were upset by a painful collision between Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger and Diego Rico, in which the German’s knee knocked the Spaniard’s head.

Uruguayan forward Satriano broke the deadlock with a delicious strike from the edge of the box after compatriot Mauro Arambarri nodded the ball into his path.

Soria, who had a fine game, saved from Vinicius in the second half, and the Brazilian called for more support from Madrid’s fans.

However, the team were not giving them much to get excited about, although Rudiger came close to levelling with a header.

It was a disjointed display from a Madrid side who visit Celta Vigo on Friday in La Liga, before hosting Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League last 16, unsure if top scorer Mbappe will be fit to play.

In stoppage time, Mastantuono was dismissed, seemingly for something he said to the referee, before Getafe were also reduced to 10 men when Adrian Liso kicked the ball away and was shown a second yellow card.

“Nobody here is throwing in the towel, this is Real Madrid, you don’t give up until the last game,” added Arbeloa.

“Four points is a distance that we can cut back, and we will fight for that.”

Jose Bordalas’s Getafe rose to 11th and were able to celebrate their first win at the Bernabeu since 2008.

“It’s very hard to get points when you come here. I have to congratulate the team for the work in defence, then we got our goal, and we could even have scored another in the end,” said Getafe defender Kiko Femenia.

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