Spotlight on Getafe Club de Fútbol

PREVIOUS 2012/13 LEAGUE MEETING

In September of 2012, Getafe hosted FC Barcelona at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez for Week 4 of La Liga. Interestingly, just like this week, the match in Madrid was preceded by an international break. Barça managed to stave off the dreaded FIFA Virus and won 1-4 thanks to goals from Adriano, Leo Messi (2), and David Villa.

FORM GUIDE

Getafe sit 12th in the table on 29 points from 22 matches. The Madrid-based team have earned six points from their last five matches thanks to three draws (0-0 against Atlético Madrid, 2-2 against Granada, and 1-1 against Sevilla) and one win (3-1 over Deportivo). Their only defeat since the start of the new year was away to city neighbours, Real Madrid (4-0).

Matches like tomorrow’s against FC Barcelona could very well dictate the fate of Luis Garcia Palza’s men, who are only five points adrift of the sixth spot in the table (currently occupied by Valencia), which gives direct access to next season’s Europa League. Conversely, Los Azulones (team nickname) have a nine point gap between them and Celta de Vigo, who sit in the relegation zone.

ONES TO WATCH

Getafe’s defence is led by Alexis, who arrived from Sevilla in the summer of 2012, and goalkeeper Moyá. Unfortunately, the keeper, who has only allowed 12 more goals than Valdés in the domestic competition this season, was shown a red card in last week’s 1-3 victory over Deportivo, and will miss tomorrow’s match due to suspension. His likely substitute will be Jordi Codina. Codina is a Real Madrid youth-academy graduate who was promoted to Los Blancos’ senior side before he signed with Getafe in 2009.

Getafe have netted 28 goals this season. Of those, five have scored by Diego Castro, three by Álvaro and another three from the defender Alexis. Their midfield - which usually lines up with two defensive midfielders and three ‘creators’ (4-2-3-1) - is anchored by Xavi Torres, which leaves Barrada and Gavilán free to develop and create chances for the likes of Colunga (centre forward) and Diego Castro.