Ronaldo nets brace as Real top Getafe, boost confidence ahead of PSG clash

Published on: 03 March 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo ran his career total to 301 goals in La Liga with a brace in Real Madrid's win over Getafe.

Real Madrid ran out comfortable 3-1 winners over a Getafe side lacking much attacking intent on Saturday in La Liga, in a suitable warm-up for the Champions League round-of-16 return leg against Paris Saint-Germain. Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice after Gareth Bale had given the home side the lead with Francisco Portillo scoring from the spot for the visitors.

Positives

Against a side who top Europe's "big five" leagues in fouls this season, no fresh injury concerns for Zinedine Zidane. Marcelo's return in an electric cameo bodes well for Paris and the "BBC" linked well and provided the goals.

Negatives

Real lacked a bit of width in a 4-4-2 that allowed Getafe to funnel the hosts through the middle, even if their resolve broke eventually. The score was a fair reflection of the game, but Real may have been expected to turn the screw playing against 10 men for the entire second half after Loic Remy was sent off for clotheslining Nacho to boost confidence further still ahead of Tuesday.

Manager rating out of 10

7 -- Zidane did what he could with what he had and wisely kept Mateo Kovacic out of the action for as long as possible -- the Croatian may be needed to fill in for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in Paris if they do not make the squad. Marcos Llorente will not. The same was probably true of late substitute Marco Asensio, although he would be a more natural fit on the left than Isco.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Keylor Navas, 6 -- One regulation save from Remy at the start of the second half was about the sum of Navas' workload, although he was sold a dummy by Portillo from the spot.

DF Dani Carvajal, 7 -- Went close with a rasping drive in the first half and was up and down his flank with customary zeal, causing a headache for the Getafe left and keeping Remy under wraps in the first half.

DF Nacho, 5 -- Beaten by Angel Rodriguez early on, Nacho had a torrid evening against Remy and Jorge Molina. A running battle with the Frenchman could have gone either way, and he was lucky to last the 90 at the Geta striker's expense. Conceded the penalty but he appeared to get the ball before flooring Molina.

DF Sergio Ramos, 7 -- A quietly commanding performance from the captain, who unlike Nacho, had the measure of the visiting forwards and was on top of everything that came via the aerial route.

DF Theo Hernandez, 6 -- Growing into his role after a few starts and provided a threat going forward as well as some decent defensive cover when required in another encouraging performance.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice against Getafe in an impressive tune-up ahead of Madrid's clash with PSG.

MF Casemiro, 7 -- Solid and erred on the side of caution with the PSG game in mind. Made a couple of decisive interventions in front of the Real area but found himself a little surplus to requirements after Remy's moment of madness caused Geta to reshuffle.

MF Marcos Llorente, 5 -- Having played so little, the Llorente of last season tends now to shy away from the ball instead of seeking it out. His pass percentage was high but mostly short and safe as he sought not to put a foot wrong rather than taking a forward step in Zidane's plans.

MF Isco, 6 -- Does not enjoy being shunted out on the left but showed some flashes of his genius, particularly in tight spots in the area. Will be credited with an assist for the ball hitting his back before Bale's opener, but needs to be deployed in his favoured role to really shine.

MF Gareth Bale, 7 -- Opened the scoring with a solid strike after the ball fell kindly in the area, but then air-kicked a decent cross. Shaved a post in stoppage time in a performance below his best but good enough for the occasion.

FW Cristiano Ronaldo, 8 -- His dance across the Geta back line and crisp low shot capped the sort of performance to lift Madridista hearts before Paris. Two goals, the second a towering header, and denied a hat trick only by a wonder-save from Emi Martinez.

FW Karim Benzema, 8 -- Provided the cross for the opener and played a ball worthy of an award of its own for Ronaldo to add the second. As ever, the focus will be on his lack of scoring, but he has been laying them on in spades for his strike partners in recent games.

Substitutes

DF Marcelo, 8 -- On for Hernandez, looked sharp and whipped in a perfect cross for Ronaldo's second in a lively pre-PSG leg-stretch.

MF Marco Asensio, NR -- On for Ronaldo, flicked a glorious ball into Bale's path with the last kick of the game.

MF Mateo Kovacic, NR -- On for Llorente, kept things ticking over in midfield.

Rob Train covers Real Madrid and the Spanish national team for ESPN FC. Twitter: @Cafc13Rob.

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Source: espn.co.uk

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