Real Madrid prepared for the upcoming match against Manchester City, England, next Wednesday, at the Etihad Stadium, with a difficult 1-0 victory over its guest, Getafe, on Saturday, in the thirty-fourth stage of the Spanish Football League.

The victory came with a powerful, beautiful shot by Marco Asensio in the 70th minute, which rebounded slightly and made its way to the goal in a match that did not witness many chances.

Real rose temporarily to second place at the expense of its neighbor Atletico (71 points compared to 69), who will be able to regain the runner-up if it beats its host Elche on Sunday.

Barcelona, which is 11 points away from Real, will be able to win its first La Liga title since 2019, if it beats its host and neighbor Espanyol on the same day.

Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti rested many of his players before the second leg of the semi-final against City in the Champions League, after the two teams tied 1-1 in the first leg in the Spanish capital on Tuesday.

As only three players participated in the starting line-up that started against City, keeping goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga and Uruguayan Federico Valverde.

Camavinga limped off late in the match with a sore knee after a collision with Juan Iglesias.

But Ancelotti said after the match that the midfielder would not take long to recover.

Real Madrid presented before the match the King's Cup, which it won last week at the expense of Osasuna.

Real Sociedad, fourth in the standings, wasted a two-goal lead against its seventh guest, Girona, and fell into a 2-2 draw trap, while Villarreal benefited to the fullest by defeating its guest, Athletic Bilbao, 5-1.

And Villarreal revived his hopes of seizing a fourth place that qualifies for the Champions League, as he raised his score to 57 points, fifth, and reduced the difference to five points with Real Sociedad, the fourth.

Real Sociedad, supervised by coach Emmanol Alguasil, advanced via Mikel Oyarsabal from a penalty kick (5), then veteran playmaker David Silva (24).

The 37-year-old former Manchester City player extended his contract with Sociedad earlier this week until June 2024.

Nevertheless, the Catalan team fought back, narrowing the gap through young Brazilian defender Yan Couto (37), then equalized through veteran Uruguayan striker Christian Stuani before the break (45).

Later, Villarreal achieved a landslide victory through Alejandro Baena (24 and 90), Senegalese Nicolas Jackson (37 and 50) and a reverse goal by Aitor Paredes (61).

Oihan Sunset scored the visitors' only goal from a penalty kick (45 + 3).