There's not a thing left to play for this season for either side. Real Madrid can't win the title, can't fall out of second place, and won't even have their soon-to-be-fired manager on the sideline, as Carlo Ancelotti will be serving the second of a two-match suspension he earned by criticizing the referee after Madrid's match against Valencia earlier this month. For Getafe, well, they've assured safety and another season of La Liga football. Given that they were a favorite for the drop for many going in to this season, that's job well done, but there's nothing else they can really do at this stage.
Real Madrid vs. Getafe 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
They can’t win the title, but working out some frustration at Getafe’s expense could be just the ticket for Real Madrid to cap off the season.
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That does offer one opportunity, though. Both teams have the chance to experiment a little, play some bench or younger players who haven’t gotten a chance to play much this season for various reasons. With nothing on the line in the last match of the La Liga season, there’s no reason not to play around a little and have fun with it. That’s what sports are about, right? Having fun? Oh, sorry Carlo, didn’t see you over there...
Key player - Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Varane has been a lightning rod of criticism from large parts of the Madrd fanbase of late, believed to be too “shaky” and “inconsistent” to be a Real Madrid quality player. Never mind that he may have more pure talent than any central defender on the planet and is only 22 years old, he made a couple of mistakes and must be made to pay for them! Or something. Regardless, if he could sign off the season with a dominating performance in the middle of Madrid’s defense, it would go a long ways towards silencing his critics.
Key factor - Mental fatigue
It’s been a long and difficult season for both sides. Real Madrid suffered a number of injury blows at crucial moments of the season, costing them the ability to catch Barcelona when the Catalans were flagging in the middle of the season, and likely also keeping them from making the Champions League final, as well as costing Carlo Ancelotti his job. That kind of chase with no reward takes a toll not just on the body, but on the mind as well. Getafe have dealt with a number of injuries themselves, but instead of chasing a title, they went through the always nerve-wracking experience of fighting off a relegation battle. In the lat match of the season with nothing at stake, it’dchase down be easy to just check out mentally and go through the motions for 90 minutes, but both teams could use a win to close things out. Staying focused will be the key to earning that win, but that will be far easier said than done.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Carlo Ancelotti (suspended), Karim Benzema (thigh), Sergio Ramos (calf), Luka Modric (knee) In doubt: Keylor Navas (muscular), Nacho (muscular), Sami Khedira (knee), James Rodriguez (knock), Toni Kroos (hamstring)
Getafe injuries and suspensions
Out: Robeto Lago (suspended), Pablo Sarabia (suspended), Alvaro Vazquez (shoulder), Karim Yoda (knee), Juan Valera (hamstring), Angel Lafita (knee) In doubt: Baba Diawara (groin), Juan Rodriguez (muscular), Carlos Vigaray (muscular)
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. local
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sports en Español (U.S. - Spanish), Canal+ Liga, GOL T (Spain), Sky Sports 5/HD (U.K.)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S. & Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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