Joselu's "blessing" and the misfortune with the center backs before a derby that Real Madrid watches from the lead

Taking a commanding lead and looking ahead to the upcoming duel against Atlético with a comfortable ten-point gap, Real Madrid secured first place in the League after a smooth victory against Getafe. Joselu’s two goals made it a downhill battle for Bordalás’ team, who had previously been undefeated in their stadium. However, this match has left some consequences for the highly anticipated derby next Sunday.

The final moments of the match may require Carlo Ancelotti to make adjustments in the center of his defense. Tchouaméni received his fifth yellow card from referee Burgos Bengoetxea, resulting in his suspension for the match against Atlético. As a result, the Frenchman, who had been playing as a center back due to an injury scare from Rüdiger, will not be available. Rüdiger himself had to leave the game at half-time after a collision with Greenwood, which resulted in a painful blow to his left thigh. With Militao and Alaba also unavailable, Ancelotti is left with Nacho and Rüdiger as the only viable center-back options. In the absence of either of the two, Tchouaméni has been utilized in the starting eleven.

With Tchouaméni suspended, Ancelotti is anxiously hoping for Rüdiger’s recovery. “Tchouaméni won’t be able to play in the derby, but we hope that Rüdiger can make it. It’s a significant thigh injury, but he’s a fighter, and I find it unlikely that he won’t be able to participate in the game,” said the coach, who made seven changes yesterday.

As the fixtures become more demanding and the need for rotations arises, Joselu’s performance becomes crucial. The forward scored his first double in the League for Getafe as a Real Madrid player, which could have been a hat-trick if he hadn’t chosen to be generous with Vinicius. Joselu has now scored a total of seven goals in the League, three of which were headers, and 13 goals in all competitions. “We are blessed to have a forward like Joselu who possesses exceptional qualities different from the others. He has always been a team player, humble, and dedicated. We are delighted with his contribution,” expressed a satisfied Ancelotti, who will have to make a decision regarding the player’s future at the end of the loan period in June. “He is doing everything possible to secure a permanent place here. His performance has been outstanding,” admitted the Italian coach.

Ancelotti had equally high praise for Luka Modric’s game. The midfielder, who started the match and played the full 90 minutes, proved his worth. “He had a flawless performance and controlled possession exceptionally well. He dictated the tempo of the game,” commended Ancelotti.

Two Crucial Matches Ahead

Real Madrid’s six consecutive victories have propelled them to the top of the table with 57 points, two points ahead of Girona and ten points ahead of Atlético Madrid. These two upcoming matches against Girona and Atlético could potentially seal Real Madrid’s dominance in the League.

However, Ancelotti remains cautious and avoids premature calculations. “If we win both matches, we will gain six more points, which will be advantageous for us. Our team is in good form, both mentally and emotionally. We demonstrated great engagement right from the start of this match and managed it well, which was no easy feat,” warned Ancelotti.