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Real Madrid kicked off their new year with a hard-fought 0-3 away win in an intense game over their southern rivals, Getafe at the Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.
Two almost identical goals from set-piece situations, with defender Raphael Varane playing a role in both and a late tap-in by Luka Modric, earned them all the three points from this fixture, as they provisionally went atop the La Liga standings.
Despite the hosts being the dominant side in the initial 45 minutes, they didn't have anything to show for all their hard work. Los Blancos scored their first goal completely against the run of the play and though it seemed as if Varane had got the final touch, it was finally adjudged as an own goal via Getafe No.1 David Soria.
The home side played their characteristic physical game and started off the game with guns blazing, getting the better of Zinedine Zidane's men in every aspect of the game, but lacked decisiveness in front of the goal.
Thibaut Courtois had one of the best games for Real Madrid and was unbeatable between the sticks in the first half.
So, with Real Madrid keeping the pressure on Barcelona in the title race with their 11th win of the season, here we present the five hits and flops from the game.
#5 Hit: Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy stepped up in absence of veteran Marcelo on the left-hand side of the defence, by putting in an impressive performance for Los Merengues in today's fixture against Getafe.
He was very quick on his feet, rarely committed an error when in possession and kept both Jaime Mata and Fayçal Fajr in check.
But his most important contribution of the game in the form of the crucial assist for the opening goal. He was present at the right place at the right time, collecting the clearance following a free-kick and sending in a peach of a cross that eventually found it's way into the net, with Soria diverting it into his net.
Also See: La Liga, La Liga Standings
#4 Flop: Allan Nyom
Questions will be asked about Getafe's sloppy defence which let in two goals from set-piece situations and though the entirety of back four had a bad day at the office, full-back Allan Nyom has to be held guilty for the visitor's first-half goal.
The former West Brom player was getting too aggressive on Gareth Bale from the get-go and was even warned by the referee in the first quarter of the game itself.
He continued pressing the Welshman and eventually was booked for his actions in the 33rd minute as he needlessly brought him down the fleet-footed winger near the right-hand side of the box.
The free-kick led to Madrid's first goal and his booking meant that he had to play the rest of the game more cautiously, with a red card just another foul away.
#3 Hit: Raphael Varane
In absence of their regular captain and commanding centre-back Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane stepped up in the backline.
The Frenchman was involved in the opening goal of the game, as he connected with Mendy's cross only to see the goal to be credited as an own goal. Though he eventually got on the scoresheet in the second half, this time rising the highest to direct Toni Kroos' delightful delivery past a helpless Soria in the 53rd minute.
In defence, though there was never really much of a threat from the home side, he proved up to the task whenever called upon and helped keep Courtois another clean sheet in the league.
Also See: Real Madrid Transfer News
#2 Flop: Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale has endured a tough season so far, only scoring two goals in his 12 outings for the club. His struggles continued in today's game too, as he failed to test Getafe's defence.
His only contribution to his side's victory was winning the free-kick in the first half, that led to the visitors breaking the deadlock, other than that he was wasteful.
He had two golden chances to put himself on the scoreboard in the second half. The first coming in 65th minutes, when he tried to audaciously chip the ball over the incoming goalie from the edge of the box, but failed.
In injury time he failed to get the third goal for Madrid after substitute Jovic's through ball found him in space, but yet again Soria got the better of him.
In all, he failed to make an impact in the game, despite playing all the 90 minutes and was one of Madrid's poorest performers for the day.
#1 Thibaut Courtois
Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois got Real Madrid through a very tough first-half, making three brilliant saves before the half-time whistle.
The first save was the best of all, reacting quickly to save midfielder Mauro Arambarri's volley. Then he also made two brilliant saves in two minutes, in the final moments of the first half, much to the agony of the home side, who could not believe they were goalless despite all their efforts.
His heroics in front of the goal helped his side when they were reeling under the pressure of a brilliant Getafe side, that was pressing high and breaking up Madrid play.
These saves proved decisive, as in the second half, after Varane doubled their advantage, the home side's intensity took a hit and that gave the visitor's a much-needed breathing space to tighten their grip on the game.
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