Real Madrid's slow end to 2018-19 continued with a 0-0 draw at neighbours Getafe in Thursday's La Liga game at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Nineteen-year-old Brahim Diaz was Madrid's brightest attacker and is one of the few squad members to really impress during these dull end of season games. A second consecutive clean sheet was hard won. Less than a month of suffering left now this season for Madrid's players, staff and fans.
Negatives
Not for the first time this season Madrid started the game slowly, with their first shot on target tonight coming 39 minutes in. This time there was not enough reaction after the break either. Top-four chasing Getafe were clearly (and unsurprisingly) the more motivated side over the 90 minutes.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- A risky starting XI from Zinedine Zidane in terms of resting both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos for the same game and leaving his team very short of game management in midfield. Like for like substitutions did not help fix the problem which ran through the 90 minutes.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Keylor Navas, 7 -- Kept his place despite Thibaut Courtois' return to fitness. Rode his luck when punching a Mauri Arambarri free kick into a crowded penalty area, but made an excellent double-stop late on when Getafe went for a winner.
DF Dani Carvajal, 7 -- Solid defensively and more noticeable in attack after the break, one overlapping run setting up an excellent chance for Isco near the hour mark.
DF Nacho, 8 -- A solid showing against Getafe's physical forwards on both the ground and in the air. Probably his best display of 2018-19.
DF Raphael Varane, 7 -- Calmly dealt with all that was thrown at him, covering smoothly whenever Getafe's attackers thought they might be in behind.
DF Sergio Reguilon, 6 -- The youngster was rotated back into the XI tonight and seemed to enjoy the game's aggressive nature, but made little impact on the ball going forward.
MF Casemiro, 7 -- Often almost played as a third centre-back as he was so deep for much of the game. His aerial ability was useful in helping defend against Getafe's many high balls forward.
MF Isco, 6 -- The most creative midfielder in the XI had some characteristically attractive touches but was generally unable to control the game. Showed frustration when booked for a high boot on Getafe's combative Nemanja Maksimovic. Missed an excellent chance from close range near the hour mark.
MF Federico Valverde, 6 -- Found Getafe's aggressive pressing difficult to deal with early, and at this stage of career is clearly unable to provide the level of control expected from the likes of Kroos or Modric. Danced with picking up a second yellow and was unsurprisingly replaced.
FW Brahim Diaz, 8 -- Rewarded Zidane's confidence with a showing full of creativity and ambition, including a successful drag-back back-heel in his own half. Just missed a finishing touch after opening up space for himself to shoot at goal on a couple of occasions.
FW Karim Benzema, 7 -- Seemed stuck trying to do it all himself in the first half, at one point remonstrating with Gareth Bale for a lack of movement into space. Had a couple of half-chances but could not add to his recent scoring run.
FW Gareth Bale, 6 -- A rare start on the left wing for Bale, who skipped away a few times from hard-man Damian Suarez, with one cross setting up a half-chance for Benzema. Unsurprisingly among those withdrawn early.
Substitutes
FW Marco Asensio, 6 -- Replaced Bale on the left wing with his biggest impact a robust challenge on marker Suarez.
FW Lucas Vazquez, 6 -- Told by the referee to get up after a 90th-minute attempt to "win" a penalty, only for Getafe to break up the other end and almost score a winner.
MF Toni Kroos, N/R -- Replaced Valverde for the last 10 minutes and did help Madrid keep hold of the ball better.
