Real Madrid host Getafe on Monday, a rare scheduling slot that has historically proved a stumbling block for the ‘Merengues’.
After a bruising defeat to Osasuna last weekend saw them surrender top spot, Real Madrid look to get their La Liga title tilt back on track against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu. Jose Bordalas’s characteristically resilient outfit will offer a rigorous examination for Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, who must also contend with the psychological hurdle of a rare Monday night kick-off.
It is a significant scheduling anomaly for the Spanish club. Due to Champions League commitments, the ‘Merengues’ face a congested turnaround, with Monday clash followed swiftly by a trip to Celta Vigo this coming Friday.
While Monday night football is not entirely uncharted territory for Real Madrid, it remains a statistical rarity. Over the last decade, the Santiago Bernabeu giants have featured just five times in the league on a Monday, producing a set of results that make for underwhelming reading.
Of those five outings, the capital club managed just two victories—overcoming Granada in the 2019-20 season and Mallorca in 2021-22. The remaining fixtures saw them held to draws by Leganes (2018-19) and Real Sociedad (2020-21), while they succumbed to defeat against Rayo during the 2022-23 campaign.
Such a patchy record ensures Alvaro Arbeloa’s men will be on high alert. Currently four points adrift of Barça and with a daunting trip to Balaidos on the horizon in just a few days, any further dropped points could deal a hammer blow to their championship ambitions.
