Carlo Ancelotti blends diverse profiles within his squad, aiming to balance flair with precision. Among them is Joselu, a striker who earned the respect of teammates and silenced early doubts with his productive work rate and goals. Getafe provided a grounded backdrop where substance mattered more than spectacle. Joselu’s two strikes at the Coliseum helped secure victory, and his anticipated summer move—set to be formalized with a payment of one and a half million—will seal his status as a Real Madrid player. In the 1,000 minutes he has been on the pitch this season, Madrid has found the net 32 times; without him, the team has secured only 15 points in the same span.
Joselu, four shots and one goal
Not long ago, it would have seemed unlikely that crosses would become a preferred weapon for the Madridistas. Yet, with Joselu in the starting lineup, teammates consistently search for him on those serviceable crosses. The first goal arrived before the quarter-hour mark via a cross from Lucas, as the right flank repeatedly became the main avenue of attack for Madrid, even as Vinicius operated on the left side.
Joselu started alongside a midfield trio that included Modric, and was supported by Lucas on the wing and Tchouaméni who continued to grow his influence. The team boasted a formidable spine with Bellingham and Vinicius providing forward thrust. Madrid, organized in a 4-5-1 shape, compacted the defense and stifled Getafe’s efforts. Getafe pressed from the right, denying Mayoral and Greenwood any meaningful impact as Bordalás’ side faced a more restrained version of Ancelotti’s squad.
Bordalás reshaped his team, switching to a 4-4-2 with Greenwood and Rico entering from wide positions, leaving Mayoral as the reference alongside Latasa. It was a more recognizable setup after the early experimental formation. The game saw Madrid make a subtle adjustment as Camavinga was replaced by a sore Rudiger, who then yielded space to Tchouaméni in the defensive axis. The match drifted into a calm phase for Madrid, who remained solid at the back. Yet Greenwood’s left-footed delivery posed a threat, forcing Lunin into a quick, sharp save. Ancelotti’s voice roared from the dugout as complacency gave way to renewed urgency, and the night’s momentum shifted as injuries struck Vinicius and Bellingham, complicating Madrid’s tempo.
– Peers?+ Yes
As noted in a social post by Muş, the moment captured the evolving Madrid approach. @JoseluMato9. #LALIGAEASPORTS #LaCasaDelFútbol
— Football on Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) February 1, 2024
Joselu sentence
Moments later, Joselu resurfaced with a decisive quick pass that found Vinicius delivering from the penalty area’s fringe. The striker, calmly monitoring Alderete, fired with his left foot, restoring Madrid’s lead and pushing Getafe to chase. In a tightly contested affair, Madrid’s forward line remained relentless, and Joselu’s 12th goal of the season—matching Rodrygo and one ahead of Vinicius in the league tally—proved pivotal. Ancelotti celebrated with intensity, signaling a late shift in perception toward the striker he initially doubted in the season’s opening days.
Madrid unleashed swift counter-attacks, and Getafe’s persistence clashed with Madrid’s organization as the match wore on. The game kept Madrid confident enough to head toward Sunday’s derby against Atlético with a sense of steadiness. Bellingham’s early form continued to shape Madrid’s dynamics, while Joselu’s positioning allowed Vinicius, Rodrygo, and the young midfielder to maximize opportunities they created for each other.
In the end, the team’s cohesion mattered more than individual heroics. The result reflected Madrid’s ability to blend a robust defensive base with purposeful attacking leadership from the forward line, anchored by Joselu’s clinical finishing. The night underscored a broader reality: a striker who can hold up play, link with wingers, and finish chances can transform a team’s balance and confidence as it advances through a demanding season.