Real Madrid played against Getafe this weekend without many of their starters. Only four players in their XI were regular starters, as injuries, suspensions, and COVID-19 prevented Real from fielding a full lineup. Amidst heavy rotations, Los Blancos dropped points to a lower-table side in the neighborhood.
Let’s ask five burning questions in the aftermath of a somewhat disappointing 0-0 draw.
What is Real Madrid’s remaining margin for error?
Real Madrid could fall back behind Barcelona if La Blaugrana win their “game in hand”. Even though Real beat them in El Clasico, the league title is all about consistency. It is about winning all three points, week in and week out. That’s what Zinedine Zidane’s side was able to do last summer en route to the title, but they failed to take care of business against Getafe.
We can sit there and make excuses about rotations, but that is beneath this club. The reality is that Real paid more for players like Alvaro Odriozola and Mariano Diaz than Getafe paid for their players. And when someone like Marcelo wears the captain’s armband, plays like rubbish, and gloats about “winning a point”, you can only roll your eyes.
Real Madrid can’t put in another uninspired performance. Because you know Barcelona don’t often drop points against sides they should beat up on. Real’s margin for error is now, effectively, zero. Getafe was their allowable slip-up.