Real Madrid Earn Narrow Victory at Getafe to Keep Barcelona Within Striking Distance

The La Liga title race is still alive. Real Madrid managed to close the gap on Barcelona to four points following a 1-0 away win against Getafe. With one eye on the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti opted to rest some key players and give opportunities to depth players. Arda Guler scored the decisive goal on Wednesday, securing all three points for his side.

While Real Madrid theoretically boasts a deep squad, recent rotations have coincided with dropped points, indicating that the depth hasn`t always compensated for injuries and absences. Nevertheless, Guler produced a moment of brilliance with his weaker foot to ensure the title challenge remains on. The 20-year-old has experienced a fluctuating season, and this marked his first goal for Real Madrid since finding the net in the Copa del Rey on January 6.

With Kylian Mbappe unavailable and Jude Bellingham starting on the bench, someone needed to step up, and Guler did exactly that. Barcelona`s win on Tuesday put pressure on Real Madrid to get a result, and they responded effectively. Having been eliminated from the Champions League by Arsenal, Real Madrid`s season now focuses on two main objectives: making up ground in La Liga and winning the Copa del Rey. A crucial late save from Thibaut Courtois was vital in keeping their La Liga aspirations alive.

Despite the anticipation surrounding potential future additions like Mbappe, which points to a team expected to compete for all trophies, Real Madrid currently faces the possibility of ending the season without any silverware.

Prioritizing the Copa del Rey

Resting players like Bellingham and Rodrygo is crucial for Real Madrid to approach the Copa del Rey final in the best possible condition. While questions may exist about the team`s tactical identity or balance, Bellingham has undeniably been a central figure during his time at the club. Depth players such as Guler, hoping to earn a spot in the Copa del Rey starting lineup, might be needed to provide impact if the team is struggling. Mbappe is expected to be back and likely lead the attack in the final, but even if Barcelona are without Robert Lewandowski, it will be a tough challenge for Real Madrid to overcome them.

Adding to the challenge, Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba are expected to miss the final, meaning Real Madrid will need a complete team performance to lift the trophy.

The La Liga Title Race: Remaining Fixtures

1. FC Barcelona — 76 points

Real Valladolid (A), Real Madrid (H), Espanyol (A), Villarreal (H), Athletic Club (A).

2. Real Madrid — 72 points

Celta Vigo (H), FC Barcelona (A), Mallorca (H), Sevilla (A), Real Sociedad (H).

Can Real Madrid Still Win La Liga?

Both teams have five matches remaining in the league season, including one more Clasico meeting. Real Madrid must win this direct encounter to stand a chance at the title, but they also need Barcelona to drop points elsewhere. Barcelona`s away fixture against Athletic Club on the final day appears to be their most challenging remaining match where they could potentially lose points, although the title race might be decided before then. Real Madrid will host Celta Vigo and Mallorca around the Clasico – both fixtures they must win. With Barcelona still competing in the Champions League, their coach, Hansi Flick, may be compelled to rotate his squad more heavily than Ancelotti. Ultimately, the outcome of the upcoming El Clasico is likely to determine which team lifts the La Liga trophy at the end of the season.

Current La Liga Table