Depleted Madrid beat lowly Getafe in La Liga ahead of Man City clash

MADRID: Real Madrid geared up for their crucial Champions League semi-final clash against Manchester City with a 1-0 win over Getafe on Saturday in La Liga.

The slim victory lifted defending champions to 71 points and restored their second position on the table, two ahead of city rivals Atletico who play at bottom side Elche on Sunday.

With five games remaining, Leaders Barca have 82 points and will get the chance to clinch their 27th LaLiga crown with four games to spare when they face Espanyol on Sunday evening.

Barcelona top the table with 82 points and have a chance to claim their 27th La Liga title when they local rivals Espanyol on Sunday. They need a single victory out of their remaining five games to secure the crown.

Carlo Ancelotti rested his key players ahead of the decisive battle with Pep Guardiola’s City, following the 1-1 draw last Tuesday in Madrid.

Marco Asensio scored the lone goal in the 70th minute with a deflected strike from distance, in a dull game that witnessed very few chances.

Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga was taken off in the final minutes limping with knee pain as fears surround the midfielder’s fitness ahead of Wednesday’s clash.

Earlier on Saturday, Villareal thrashed Atheltic Club 5-0 thanks to twin strikes from Nicolas Jackson and Alex Baena.

Osasuna beat Almeria 3-1 to take the ninth position with 47 points while Girona and Real Sociedad levelled 2-2 at Anoeta Stadium.

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