Confirmed, huge surprise for Getafe-Real Madrid, he will start, Brahim Díaz accepts his role as a substitute

After the international break, LaLiga returns with a crucial match for Real Madrid. The team will visit Getafe at the Coliseum on Sunday with the urgent need to secure three points. If they don't achieve this, the white team runs the serious risk of arriving in second place for El Clásico on October 26.

The outlook is clear: there is no room for a slip against a tough opponent like Getafe. Every loss or draw would complicate the ambition to have a psychological advantage in the match against Barça. Xabi Alonso knows that the situation demands discipline, focus, and boldness in the approach.

Brahim Díaz seemed certain to start... until now

One of the expected protagonists for Getafe-Real Madrid was Brahim Díaz. The white "21" seemed to have a clear path to the starting line-up, especially after his strong performances against Villarreal and Kairat Almaty. Those performances had surprised the coach, who was planning to include him among the starting eleven against Getafe.

However, in recent hours the situation has taken an unexpected U-turn. Xabi Alonso is a coach with firm ideas and usually keeps strictness in his tactical and squad decisions. On that right wing, Brahim Díaz and Franco Mastantuono, a young player with potential, are competing.

Mastantuono returns despite discomfort

What seemed like an advantage for Brahim changed when Mastantuono had to return early from the international break due to physical discomfort. Everything indicated that he wouldn't be available against Getafe, and Brahim then seemed to be the chosen one to start. But recent reports indicate that the Argentine is close to recovering.

The big surprise is that Franco Mastantuono now looks set to start against Getafe. That decision would once again relegate Brahim Díaz to the bench. Although the white "21" will likely get minutes during the match, not starting ahead of a Mastantuono who is still not fully fit says it all.

This sudden change is not just a media surprise: it has internal tactical consequences for Real Madrid. Brahim must take this setback as a testing ground, not as a punishment. If he enters the match at the right moments, he can still provide a change of pace, verticality, or imbalance.

The decision to give the starting spot to a player with apparent discomfort suggests that Xabi Alonso trusts Mastantuono's recovery ability and level a great deal. It also implies that the coach wants to inject freshness and energy into that attacking area. Brahim, meanwhile, will have to show in that context his character, professionalism, and quality in order not to lose prominence.