The wait is over, Madridistas. LaLiga has officially confirmed the schedule for Matchday 26, and the Santiago Bernabéu is set to host a unique Monday night showdown. Real Madrid will face Getafe on Monday, March 2, at 9:00 pm local time.
While Monday night fixtures aren’t typically the preference for the glamorous lights of the Bernabéu, this mini-derby offers a crucial opportunity. As we enter the business end of the 2025/26 season, every single point is worth its weight in gold. The title race is heating up, and with our rivals dropping points and the pressure mounting, this is exactly the kind of fixture where leagues are won or lost. It’s not just about the El Clásicos or the derbies against Atlético; it’s about grinding out results against the gritty, physical sides like Getafe.
The Challenge: Bordalás and the “Blue Wall”
Let’s not sugarcoat it—matches against Getafe are rarely a walk in the park. They are battles. Under José Bordalás, Getafe has forged an identity based on defensive solidity, tactical fouls, and disrupting the rhythm of the game. They will come to the Bernabéu not to entertain, but to frustrate.
For Carlo Ancelotti’s men, patience will be the keyword. We’ve seen it time and again: Getafe sits deep, absorbs pressure, and looks to hit on the break or capitalize on a set-piece error. This is where the magic of the Bernabéu crowd becomes our twelfth man. We need to be loud from the first minute to the ninetieth, pushing the team forward and unsettling their low block.
Squad Depth and the Injury Crisis
This match also comes at a pivotal time regarding our squad fitness. The injury list has been a headache all season, with the defense particularly decimated. The absences of key figures like Dani Carvajal and David Alaba have forced the squad to adapt, showing the incredible versatility of players stepping into unfamiliar roles.
However, the Monday scheduling might actually be a blessing in disguise. It gives the squad an extra 24 hours of rest following European commitments and intense training sessions at Valdebebas. We need our heavy hitters—Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham—fresh and ready to break down a stubborn defense. Expect some rotations, perhaps in midfield, but make no mistake: Ancelotti will field a lineup designed to kill the game off early.
The Bernabéu Factor
There is something special about the Bernabéu under the floodlights, regardless of the day of the week. This is Matchday 26. We are past the halfway point. The finish line is visible on the horizon, and we cannot afford to slip up at home.
Getafe will try to make it ugly. They will try to slow it down. But this is Real Madrid. We play with style, we play with heart, and most importantly, we play to win. Let’s pack the stadium (or our living rooms) and show them why we are the Kings of Europe.
