An injury-depleted Real side were outplayed by Getafe, who could have won by a larger margin had they converted several clear-cut chances.

"Getafe were superior to us. They played spectacularly well and I think they could have even scored more goals," Schuster told the post-match press conference.

"The fact that they scored early on in both halves meant we didn't really know how to make a comeback.

"This defeat doesn't hurt that much because it was obvious from the start that it would be difficult to win here. I never felt victory would be ours."

The German coach bemoaned Real's injury problems. Los Merengues had to do without a host of key players, including Ruud van Nistelrooy, Fabio Cannavaro and Arjen Robben.

Real suffered further blow when Pepe, Miguel Torres and Wesley Sneijder were substituted against Getafe after sustaining injuries.

"There's nothing we can do about the injuries we sustain. This isn't a normal situation, but we have to come to grips with it and move on."

Real are second in the league table with 26 points, six behind leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona.