Real Madrid key talking points: Courtois heroics, Varane steps up in Ramos absence, Bale needs to do more

Real level on points with Barca after Saturday's win.
AFP via Getty Images
Ben Hayward5 January 2020

Real Madrid kicked off 2020 in style. Los Blancos' 3-0 win at Getafe on Saturday was a super start to the new year and saw Zinedine Zidane's side draw level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

The win arrived courtesy of an own-goal from Getafe goalkeeper David Soria, a Raphael Varane header and a Luka Modric strike deep into added time at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

It was a third clean sheet in a row for Madrid and the first goals for Zidane's side in three games – since Karim Benzema's late leveller away to Valencia on December 15.

Madrid moved provisionally top and are behind Barcelona only on goal difference after the champions were held to a 2-2 draw at Espanyol later on Saturday.

Courtois heroics laid foundations for the win

Courtois on form again.
Getty Images

While Real Madrid went ahead at the Coliseum after a bad error by Getafe goalkeeper Soria, who misjudged an attempted punch under pressure from Varane and saw the ball end up in his own net, Los Blancos also had their own shot-stopper to thank for keeping them in it in the first half.

Thibaut Courtois, whistled by Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier in the season, has made himself a hero in recent weeks and produced three spectacular saves – from Mauro Arambarri, Leandro Cabrera and Fajr Faycal – in the opening 45 minutes to deny Getafe.

"On a personal level, I'm happy to help the team," he said after the game. "This is the level that Real Madrid demands."

And the Belgian also earned praise from Zidane. "For me, Courtois is the best," the Frenchman said. It is quite the turnaround since the goalkeeper's early-season troubles, when he was whistled by fans and many called for Alphonse Areola to start instead.

Varane steps up in Ramos' absence

Varane stepping up for Los Blancos.
AFP via Getty Images

Varane is not renowned for his goalscoring prowess, but the French defender scored the opener in Madrid's last win, a 2-0 success at home to Espanyol on December 7, and was the team's talisman again in attack on Saturday.

In the absence of the suspended Sergio Ramos, Varane was a leader at the back alongside Eder Militao and the French defender forced the mistake from Soria which saw Real take the lead in the 34th minute. Later, he headed his side's second.

The first goal arrived after a free-kick had been cleared and Ferland Mendy sent the ball back in from the left, while the second came from another set piece, beautifully delivered by Toni Kroos.

"It's sometimes important to score from set pieces and we did that," Zidane said. And with goals hard to come by in recent games for Real, Varane's contribution was key.

Real Madrid struggling to create from open play

Real still struggling to create chances.
AFP via Getty Images

Real Madrid's three goals on Saturday were welcome after Zidane's side had managed only one in the previous three matches – Benzema's stoppage-time equaliser at Valencia after Courtois had gone up and caused chaos at a corner.

Still, though, Los Blancos are not creating enough chances. Benzema was feeding off scraps at the Coliseum and Madrid are finding it hard to fashion opportunities from open play without the injured Eden Hazard.

On Saturday, the three goals arrived courtesy of an own-goal following a free-kick, a Varane header from another set piece and a quick counter-attack in the sixth minute of added time when Getafe had committed men forward.

"We have to be calm in front of goal because sometimes the ball doesn't go in," Zidane said. And he added: "Varane's two goals show we have a lot of resources." True enough, but overall play can still be improved.

Fede Valverde still growing

REUTERS

Fede Valverde was surprisingly left out of the starting line-up for Real Madrid's trip to Getafe on Saturday, but the Uruguayan midfielder still managed to make his mark on the game.

The 21-year-old came on for Toni Kroos with 19 minutes left and helped defend Madrid's lead as Getafe sought a way back into the game. And a typical run from deep saw Real add a third goal at the end of added time.

Valverde raced onto a pass from Gareth Bale, advanced into the Getafe area and, instead of shooting himself, laid the ball off to Modric for a simple finish which rounded off an emphatic win. It was yet another example of his considerable worth and growing importance in this team.

Asked why the youngster was left out, Zidane said: "They are all committed. I have 25 players and only 11 start." In the Supercopa next weekend, though, Valverde is likely to be back in the XI.

Bale needs to do more as drought continues

Bale not scoring often enough this term.
REUTERS

Bale was in the starting XI on Saturday and the Welsh winger had his moments at the Coliseum.

He won the free-kick which led to the first goal, came close to scoring with a lovely piece of control and chip in the second half, missed a great chance in added time and started the move for the third strike at the end.

However, he is not scoring enough goals. The 30-year-old has hit only two for Real Madrid this season and both of those came in the 2-2 draw away to Villarreal in La Liga on September 1.

Over four months have passed since and although he has had a spell out through injury and was unfortunate to see a strike ruled out for offside in the Clasico away to Barcelona on December 18, the feeling persists that he can offer more.

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