Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Getafe from the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid will enter the match off the back of a 4-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.
It is the start of a new era for Los Blancos as they begin a La Liga season without Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since 2009.
Getafe, meanwhile, finished last season in a very impressive eighth position, and will again be targeting a strong campaign in Spain's top flight.
8.16pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Getafe. It is the start of a new era for Real Madrid, and head coach Julen Lopetegui will be looking to begin his La Liga reign with a win tonight. Getafe, however, had a very impressive 2017-18 campaign, and will be eyeing a shock victory in this match.
8.19pmReal Madrid recorded a 3-1 win in the corresponding match at the Bernabeu last season, and Getafe have not actually beaten Los Blancos in the league since August 2012. Getafe's last victory at the Bernabeu in La Liga, meanwhile, was a 1-0 success during the 2007-08 season.
8.22pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Just who has Lopetegui selected in his first Real Madrid La Liga XI? Who starts between the sticks for the Madrid giants? Let's run through the two teams here...
8.25pmTEAMS!
REAL MADRID: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Ceballos, Kroos, Asensio; Isco, Benzema, Bale
GETAFE: Soria; Damian, Djene, Bruno, Cabrera; Arambarri, Maksimovic; Portillo, Shibasaki, Ndiaye; Molina
8.28pmSo there we have it. Thibaut Courtois is on the bench for Real Madrid tonight, with Keylor Navas selected between the sticks. Quite a turn-up that! Elsewhere, Nacho partners Sergio Ramos at centre-back with Raphael Varane on the bench, while Dani Ceballos is handed a spot in the middle of midfield. Marco Asensio and Isco will join Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in the final third.
© Reuters
8.32pmAs for Getafe, Nemanja Maksimovic starts following his summer arrival from Valencia, while fellow new arrival David Soria is selected between the sticks. There are also more debutants in the shape of Leonardo Cabrera and Mauro Arambarri, but Jorge Molina keeps his spot in attack.
8.35pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. Los Blancos will enter this match off the back of a 4-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night, which was not the ideal start to Lopetegui's reign.
8.38pm
🚶♂🏟👋 The lads' arrival at the Bernabéu earlier this evening! #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/2VSnAD3k5l
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 19, 2018
8.42pmThe Super Cup went into extra-time after Diego Costa scored his second of the match late on, before goals from Saul Niguez and Koke ensured that Atletico would triumph. There were certainly some under-par performances from Real Madrid players, and it is not quite what Lopetegui would have had in mind in his first competitive match in charge of the capital giants.
8.45pmLopetegui is, of course, in the hot-seat having replaced Zinedine Zidane as head coach. Lopetegui was due to lead Spain at the 2018 World Cup, but was sacked on the eve of the tournament after taking the Real Madrid post. Zidane won one La Liga title and three Champions League crowns during his time in the position, and Lopetegui has some act to follow.
8.48pmThat said, despite Real Madrid's Champions League triumph last season, they finished down in third position in La Liga – some 17 points off the champions Barcelona. Los Blancos were just not good enough in the league last term as they relinquished the title having won just 22 of their 38 matches. I say 'just' loosely, but Barcelona won six more league fixtures.
8.52pm
👕🔢🔠 Our dressing room at the Bernabéu is ready for the players ahead of our LaLiga 2018/19 bow! #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/yqQuCCoJMQ
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 19, 2018
8.55pmReal Madrid are also starting life without a certain Ronaldo. The Portuguese scored 450 goals in 438 appearances for Los Blancos following a 2009 move from Manchester United, but now wears the colours of Juventus. There has been no direct replacement for Ronaldo this summer, which places a huge amount of pressure on the likes of Bale and Benzema for goals.
8.58pmIn terms of what is ahead for Real Madrid, they will open their La Liga campaign tonight before visiting Girona next weekend. Lopetegui's side will then host Leganes on the first of September before the international break. The Champions League also resumes next month, and it will be very interesting to see how they perform post-Ronaldo. Kickoff is not too far away now!
9.02pmGetafe, meanwhile, had a very impressive 2017-18 campaign. The capital outfit finished eighth in La Liga, which was their best performance in Spain's top flight since finishing sixth in 2009-10. Getafe have only just returned from the Segunda Division following their relegation at the end of the 2015-16 season, but were simply excellent last term.
9.05pm
¡Llegó el día! 🙌🏽👏🏽💪🏽💙
— David Soria Solis (@DavidSoria18) August 19, 2018
Muchas ganas e ilusión las que hay hoy para debutar con el @GetafeCF en @LaLiga 💙⚽️
¡A darlo todo en un campo difícil!💪🏽#VamosGeta #LaLiga #Getafe pic.twitter.com/jTZeFLBSgA
9.08pmIndeed, El Geta won 15 of their 38 league fixtures last season to collect 55 points, and were actually only three points off seventh-placed Sevilla. It is going to be difficult to repeat that success this season, but a positive result tonight would certainly give them a lot of confidence.
9.12pmThe likes of Ignasi Miquel, Nemanja Maksimovic and David Soria have arrived at Getafe this summer to boost the squad, while the capital outfit have thus far managed to keep hold of Djene Dakonam, who was excellent last season. A number of European clubs are believed to want the 26-year-old, but the centre-back's release clause is £31m, and he will not be sold for less.
0 minKICKOFF: Real Madrid kick things off on home soil...
2 min... Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the early moments, which is not much of a surprise. Benzema is through the middle for the home side, with Bale on the right and Asensio down the left. Ceballos is sitting deep in midfield alongside Kroos and Isco.
4 minSAVE! Wonderful save from Soria to keep out a curling effort from Bale!
5 minThe offside flag was actually raised very late, but that was still some save.
7 minPossession football for Real Madrid as they continue to move the ball, and Bale looks very lively for the home side in the first seven minutes of this match. Getafe, however, are a very good team, and they will prove difficult to break down tonight, there is no doubt about that.
9 minReal Madrid work the ball into a wide position before Carvajal delivers deep, but his cross is over the head of Benzema, and also Asensio who was threatening at the far post.
11 minJust a reminder that Navas is between the sticks for Real Madrid tonight, with Courtois on the bench. Not a bad second goalkeeper to have, but I suspect that may change in the coming weeks.
13 minNot too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment. The Real Madrid supporters need to be excited by their team, and not too much is happening with 13 minutes on the clock. Bale had that early effort saved by Soria, but the offside flag was eventually raised.
15 minBit of a scrappy game at the moment as the referee is forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Getafe are not letting Real Madrid find their passing range at the moment.
16 minOFF THE BAR! Oh my word! Bale's header from a wonderful Marcelo cross smacks the bar!
18 minJust a few signs that Real Madrid are warming to their task here as they move the ball at pace in the final third of the field. Getafe have just started to sink a little bit deeper here.
20 minGOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 GETAFE (CARVAJAL)
21 minReal Madrid make the breakthrough in the 20th minute, and it is a wonderful header from Carvajal, who lifts the ball over Soria after the Getafe goalkeeper had come out to deal with a cross. It is a very clever effort from the right-back, and Real Madrid are ahead tonight.
23 minGetafe have just started to sit back, and they are suffering as Real Madrid dominate.
25 minHalf-chance for the home side following a period of slick passing, but Asensio's curling effort was always high of the Getafe goal. The visitors are struggling to get out of their own half now.
27 minYELLOW CARD! Molina (Getafe) is booked for a rash challenge on Kroos.
29 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Carvajal's header is currently the difference between the two teams. You do get the feeling that Getafe cannot afford to concede a second if they are to have any chance of finding a route back into this match.
32 minBale breaks down the left before delivering a low cross, but Soria is on hand to collect. Getafe's shape is actually quite good, but they are just not offering an attacking threat.
34 minSmart work from Benzema as the Frenchman breaks into the Getafe box before attempting to work a shooting position, but Dakonam is on hand to make the block. The resulting corner is delivered towards the middle of the box, and Suarez makes the clearance for the away side.
34 minPENALTY! REAL MADRID PENALTY!
34 minCORRECTION! The referee has seen an offside flag! He pointed to the spot when Ramos was bundled to the deck, but the offside flag comes to Getafe's rescue!
36 minJust a reminder that VAR is in action in La Liga this season. Not quite sure how I feel about that, but it appears to be the future. It was used 'interestingly' at the 2018 World Cup.
38 minLittle over five minutes of the first period remaining, and Carvajal's header is still the difference between the two teams. Getafe are well in the match at 1-0 despite their lack of threat in the final third of the field. Navas might as well still be on his summer break.
40 minBit of possession for Getafe as we move closer to the half-time break here.
41 minYELLOW CARD! Ndiaye (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on Ramos.
42 minYELLOW CARD! Djene (Getafe) is booked for a foul on Benzema.
43 minDISALLOWED GOAL! Ramos smashes the ball home, but the whistle had been blown for a free kick! Getafe are fortunate to only be one goal behind at this stage of the contest.
45 minIt must be said that the first 45 minutes of this match have flown past. Real Madrid certainly deserve their lead, with Getafe not offering one ounce of an attacking threat here.
45+1 minHALF TIME: REAL MADRID 1-0 GETAFE
10.01pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Getafe 1-0 courtesy of an excellent header from Carvajal in the 20th minute of the contest. Bale has also hit the crossbar for Real Madrid, who deserve their lead at the half-time break.
10.06pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid had a staggering 80% of the ball in the first period, but only actually hit the target with one of their four attempts. That said, Bale rattled the crossbar, and Ramos has also had a goal disallowed for a foul. Getafe, on the other hand, have not had a single attempt. Navas is between the sticks for Real Madrid, and won't have had many easier 45 minutes of action.
10.11pmBENCH WATCH! Casemiro, Lucas, Mayoral, Modric and Vinicius are on a very strong Real Madrid bench tonight, and it will be very interesting to see whether the latter appears in the second period. Getafe, meanwhile, have second-half options in the shape of Mata, Antunes and Angel.
46 minKICKOFF: Getafe resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
49 minDakonam needs to be careful here. The number two is on a booking and has just gone flying into the back of Benzema. The last thing Getafe need is to go down to 10 men here.
51 minGOAL! REAL MADRID 2-0 GETAFE (BALE)
52 minReal Madrid double their lead in the 51st minute of the match as Bale's powerful strike from an Asensio cross finds a route into the back of the net! A mistake from Dakonam led to Asensio delivering into the Getafe box, and Soria allowed Bale's strike to squeeze through his arms.
54 minOFF THE POST! Wonderful strike from Asensio, and his effort rattles the post!
56 minReal Madrid are preparing to make their first change of the match as Casemiro receives his final instructions. No movement on the Getafe bench, but they could do with a boost here.
58 minREAL MADRID SUB! Casemiro has replaced Isco for the home side.
58 minGETAFE SUB! Mata replaces Ndiaye for the away side.
60 minLittle over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and Getafe are still not offering anything in the final third of the field. Navas has not had a save to make for the home side.
61 minSAVE! Smart save from Soria to keep out a low strike from Asensio.
63 minGetafe were really impressive last season, but they have not come here to attack, and have struggled down the other end, which is not exactly the best combination in any match.
64 minYELLOW CARD! Mata (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on Nacho.
65 minGETAFE SUB! Alejo replaces Portillo for the away side.
67 minLittle over 20 minutes of the second period remaining, and the match is just drifting at the moment. Real Madrid are comfortable at 2-0, and Getafe are as well to be honest.
69 minYELLOW CARD! Marcelo (Real Madrid) is booked for a poor tackle on Alejo.
70 minSHOT! Arambarri strikes high and wide of the Real Madrid crossbar!
71 minGETAFE SUB! Angel replaces Molina for the away side.
72 minREAL MADRID SUB! Modric replaces Ceballos for the home side.
73 minSuper defending from Nacho to deny Nacho after Kroos's header had dropped to the striker in a dangerous position. Getafe are just starting to offer an attacking threat here.
75 minLittle over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and Real Madrid are comfortable.
76 minAngel just fails to meet a cross from Alejo as Getafe threaten once again here.
76 minAsensio is bundled to the ground by Bruno inside the Getafe box, but the referee is not interested. It looked a penalty, but the referee was not interested, and neither is VAR.
77 minREAL MADRID SUB! Bale is replaced by Lucas for the home side.
79 minYELLOW CARD! Bruno (Getafe) and Cabrera (Getafe) are both booked for poor tackles.
81 minLittle under 10 minutes of the second period remaining, and Real Madrid still lead 2-0.
83 minPossession football from Real Madrid as Getafe sink back into a defensive shape. It appears that the visitors are happy to take the 2-0 defeat and move on to their next match.
85 minKroos delivers a dangerous free kick into the Getafe box, but Suarez manages to clear his lines. Angel almost breaks clear down the other end, only for Modric to makes the challenge.
87 minOh my word. There are some very heavy challenges coming in from both teams.
89 minPass, pass, pass from Real Madrid as the clock continues to tick on in the capital.
90+1 minWe are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the match.
90+2 minFULL TIME: REAL MADRID 2-0 GETAFE
11.08pmSo there we have it. Real Madrid start their 2018-19 La Liga campaign with a 2-0 win over Getafe at the Bernabeu. Dani Carvajal made the breakthrough in the 20th minute of the contest, before Gareth Bale scored a second for the European champions in the early stages of the second period. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again!
