Real Madrid 2 Getafe 0: Kylian Mbappe begins to heal, another Jude Bellingham show and Garcia’s role

Real Madrid put their defeat by Liverpool in the Champions League behind them with a 2-0 win in La Liga over Getafe.

Kylian Mbappe also began to bounce back from midweek disappointment when he scored the winner at the Bernabeu moments after taking the lead from a Jude Bellingham penalty.

With a game in hand, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have 33 points and are one point behind Barcelona, ​​who have taken just one point from a possible nine in their last three games.

“Despite the difficulties, which are numerous because we have a lot of injuries, we are still fighting. We regained our focus and our minds. Little by little we will solve the problems,” Ancelotti said after the game.

Guillermo Rai breaks down the action from Sunday’s game.

How Mbappe was healed at the Bernabeu

After suffering one of the worst nights of his career at Anfield, Mbappe was back in the spotlight against Getafe.

From the start, the Madrid fans shouted his name…

Bernabéu fans support Mbappé. @TheAthleticFC pic.twitter.com/mrWBmUM2nZ

— Guillermo Rai (@GuillermoRai_) December 1, 2024

Despite having struggled to adapt to the team since his move from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer – Ancelotti and captain Luka Modric both admitted his confidence had taken a hit after the game at Anfield – the French striker scored A great goal in the first half.

Go deeper

Kylian Mbappe’s night to forget: That tackle, a missed penalty and attitude questions

With this move, initiated by Bellingham, the Madrid star beat the Getafe defense with pace and fired a shot just past the post, scoring his second goal of the afternoon.

“Kylian Mbappe, Kylian Mbappe,” echoed from the Bernabeu.

Jude Bellingham ➡️ Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid’s stars combine brilliantly and double their team’s lead ⚪ pic.twitter.com/BPpjcdgUk6

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 1, 2024

Ancelotti celebrated the goal with his arms outstretched and a shout of excitement rarely seen this season.

“Yes, I was relieved because it was 2-0. For him it was also a relief because it was a great goal… I think the fans understand more than anyone the moment of the team, the moment of the players. He could have done better against Liverpool. They supported him in the right way,” said Ancelotti.

Due to the absence of Vinicius Junior, Mbappe started again on the left, his natural position, but switched during the game with Rodrygo, who had started on the right.

Mbappe initially struggled to work with his teammates, but after the goal he gained confidence and set up Brahim Diaz for a chance in the second half. He also completed the most passes in the final third of the pitch (20), well ahead of the second most (Federico Valverde with 11).

However, Mbappe has room for improvement. With 15 minutes left, he accelerated again, dribbling past David Soria, the Getafe goalkeeper, but missing the empty net after drifting too far out. Just a minute later, he failed to beat Soria one-on-one. In stoppage time, Arda Güler gave him another great chance, but Mbappe missed again.

Nevertheless, the audience once again recognized his achievement and applauded him loudly.

Mbappe has scored 10 goals this season and is the second highest goalscorer (only behind Vinicius Jr. with 12). He was also man of the match in La Liga six times, more than any other player in the team.

“Mbappe is a player with great quality. It’s like a bottle that has liquid in it and it seems like it won’t come out, but suddenly it all comes out. And that’s exactly what will happen to him,” said teammate Thibaut Courtois.

There is confidence within the club that he will be at his best again and these goals will help.

Another Bellingham show, despite a scare

The 21-year-old midfielder has scored three goals in the last three La Liga games and is slowly returning to last season’s level. All of this coincides with his recent role change.

With the arrival of Mbappe (and to integrate him into a 4-3-3 alongside Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo), Ancelotti moved Bellingham a little deeper.

Numerous injuries to the team forced the England international to continue making defensive sacrifices, which limited his attacking ability.

However, with Madrid’s return to a system with just two pure strikers, Bellingham was once again a key player in attack.

Bellingham scored the first goal against Getafe from the penalty spot (Guillermo Martinez).

His good form has further developed the team, who can no longer imagine playing without him on offense. After Mbappe, Bellingham had the most shots (2) in the game.

In addition, he is considered a serious candidate for the position of one of the future leaders of the locker room The athletic one has already reported. But there are details that already make this situation clear and when Madrid suffered the penalty, Bellingham was responsible for taking it.

As footage later published by DAZN showed, Mbappe picked up the ball after a penalty and gave it to Bellingham. The midfielder shot low and coolly after dropping goalkeeper Soria.

As he celebrated giving Madrid the lead, Bellingham stared at his opponent and challenged him, pointing to his eyes to say he had read Soria’s moves.

He rounded things off with a brilliant assist for Mbappe to make it 2-0. In just 45 minutes he scored a goal, an assist, a key pass and 37 touches.

However, Bellingham was substituted at half-time after suffering a knock. “He had a neck problem and couldn’t recover (during the game).” It’s fine. “In a few days he will be able to recover,” Ancelotti said after the game.

After the game, club sources spoke on condition of anonymity to protect relations The athletic one that tests showed it was not serious and that Bellingham could play against Athletic Club on Wednesday.

Does Garcia overtake Mendy in the left-back pecking order?

Just a few months ago, no one would have expected Fran Garcia to overtake Ferland Mendy as left-back.

The French defender ended last season with a key role in winning La Liga and the Champions League and extended his contract for three more years in September. Since then, however, its level has declined and it has become less important.

Defensively, the coaching staff still consider him to be the best left-back in the world when he is fit and trusted in important games.

But Garcia has started three of the last four games and against Liverpool he came on as a substitute for Mendy, who was unable to control Mohamed Salah.

Garcia, right, celebrates with Mbappe (Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

“In the last few games (Fran) played more and showed a lot of quality, I liked him a lot,” Ancelotti said after the game. “We have another full-back and with him we won two Champions League titles. In some games Fran can help more, he is an attacking player. But Mendy is still a fantastic full-back.”

Spanish full-back Garcia was one of the three most active players in the final third, with ten passes in this area and one chance created. And all of this without neglecting his defensive duties, where he excelled with his comebacks (five).

It remains to be seen what the future holds for him in games against tougher opponents, but there is a belief in the Spanish camp that he has earned Ancelotti’s trust through hard work.

(Top image: David S. Bustamante/Real Madrid via Getty Images)