Three reasons why Real Madrid will beat Getafe despite rotations

Real Madrid will face Getafe on Sunday night at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Although Los Blancos are the bigger club and are thus the favorites against their neighbors, this game has “trap” written all over it.

That’s because Real will have to rest some important players after playing three straight games against Liverpool (twice) and Barcelona. Getafe are a tough, physical defensive team, and they have a lot to play for, too, albeit at the bottom of the table in 15th.

Despite the need for rotations, here are three reasons why Madridistas should be confident their team will avoid another upset to a lower-table side.

The backups will step up

Real Madrid have been let down by their backup players on multiple occasions. Most infamously, the likes of Alvaro Odriozola, Isco, and Mariano Diaz failed miserably in the Copa del Rey, with Los Blancos getting knocked out in their first match against third-division side Alcoyano.

Several of those players will likely start this Sunday at Getafe. Marcelo, Odriozola, and Isco are penciled in as starters. Mariano could join them. And there could be a further need for rotations in the midfield, with Casemiro suspended and Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric either hobbled or fatigued.

But I am confident Real Madrid will get more from their backup players. Marcelo has shown signs of life in recent months, injury notwithstanding. Isco has, too. Odriozola was not bad off the bench against Liverpool in the second leg. And Mariano can make up for his lack of skill with heart.