Real Madrid returned to second place in La Liga thanks to a fifth successive head-to-head victory over Getafe at the Santiago Bernabéu. The defeat leaves the Azulones in the relegation zone and without an away victory against Real since February 2008.With this clash falling in between Los Blancos’ UEFA Champions League semi-final tie with Manchester City, a host of regular starters were rested for the visit of strugglers Getafe. The much-changed hosts looked very disjointed in the early exchanges, and were almost behind inside two minutes when Nemanja Maksimović’s long-range sighter drifted narrowly wide.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Carlo Ancelotti’s men eventually gained a foothold of possession and controlled the ball, but their ponderous build-up play was easy to defend for a Getafe side content to sit behind the ball and wait for their opportunities on the break. A meager return of just one shot on target from either side told the full story of a drab first half at the Bernabéu, with fans inside one of football’s most famous arenas hoping for more after the break.Such was the lack of entertainment on offer, the biggest cheer from the crowd came at the sight of Luka Modrić and Vinícius Júnior warming up at the start of the second half. The Brazilian entered the fray on the hour mark, and instantly showed more attacking endeavour than any of his teammates had previously, driving at defenders with his trademark speed and trickery.Real had struggled to break through all night, so it was perhaps fitting that the opening goal came from range, as Marco Asensio’s powerful effort took a wicked deflection on its way past a stranded David Soria.YOU CAN WATCH ASENSIO’S GOAL HERE.Getafe had offered very little after the break, but falling behind took the wind from their sails even further as they slumped to a fourth defeat from their last five matches. The Azulones could find themselves three points adrift of safety if results elsewhere go against them this way, as new boss José Bordalás faces an uphill battle to rescue them from the drop.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 34FridayMallorca – Cadiz 1-0 (1-0)/Maffeo 16/Saturday Sociedad – Girona 2-2 (0-0)/Oyarzabal 5 pen, Silva 24 – Couto 37, Stuani 45+3/Osasuna – Almeria 3-1 (0-0)/Budimir 46, Ezzalzouli 51, Gomez 81 – Lazaro 90+2/Villareal – Ath.Bilbao 5-1 ()/Baena 24, 90, Jackson 37, 50, Paredes 61 – Sancet 45+3 pen/Real Madrid – Getafe 1-0 (0-0)/Asensio 70/Sunday 15.00: (2.40) Celta (3.35) Valencia (3.35)17.15: (9.00) Elche (5.00) Atl.Madrid (1.43)19.30: (2.40) Valladolid (3.50) Sevilla (3.20)22.00: (5.30) Espanyol (3.60) Barcelona (1.73)Monday 22.00: (1.99) Betis (3.50) Rayo Vallecano (4.40)***odds are subject to change***
