Short trip but difficult game for Real Madrid
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Real Madrid will kick off 2011 with a short trip to local rivals that may lead to one of their most complicated games of the season when they face local rivals Getafe on Monday night.
Jose Mourinho's side may have ended 2010 on a high note with an 8-0 away win against Levante, but they can expect a far more complicated task in the Alfonso Perez Coliseum in their first BBVA Primera Liga game of 2011.
Getafe are currently seventh in the standings with five home wins from eight matches in front of their supporters.
The side coached by former Real Madrid legend Michel Gonzalez appears to have found their best form of late with the entry of Venezuelan striker Miku in the side allowing him to link with players such as Dani Parejo and Manu del Moral, giving mobility to a talented attack.
They will take on a Real Madrid defense that is missing suspended Portuguese duo of Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho, meaning that Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol will play in central defense with Alvaro Arbeloa and Marcelo as full backs.
There is good news for Madrid fans with the probable return of Kaka to a squad for the first time since May 7. Since then the Brazilian has struggled with his continued groin problems and an operation on a knee ligament injury at the end of the summer.
It is hard to imagine Kaka going straight into Jose Mourinho's starting 11, but with Gonzalo Higuain still out with his back problem and facing the prospect of an operation in the near future, Kaka will almost certainly be on the bench.
That will place ever more pressure on the questioned Karim Benzema and it will be interesting to see if Benzema can respond with goals and Mourinho will no doubt watch the performance of the Frenchman with interest.
Madrid kick off their game 25 hours after Barcelona entertain Levante and will probably start five points off the league leaders. So far they have responded well to pressure, Monday will see that pressure turned on once again.
