Sunday 31 August 2008

Sporting de Gijón 1-2 Getafe CF

Goals from Juan Albín and Javi Casquero gave Geta all three points on Matchday 1.

Although the Azulones were under pressure at the outset, they in fact managed an early goal as Albín seized on a goalkeeping error to finish from close range.

Diego Castro equalised with a volley late on in the first half, and with chances at both ends the second half seemed to be heading towards a draw.

However, Casquero surfaced right at the death with a trademark long-range strike to seal all three points for the visitors.

Videos when available.

Sporting: Sergio Sánchez; Sastre, Ivá Hernández, Jorge, Canella; Matabuena, Míchel; Pedro (Morán 80), Quique Mateo (Bilic 70), Diego Castro; Barral (Carmelo 70).

Getafe: Pato Abbondanzieri; Cortés, 'Cata' Díaz, Mario, Licht (Granero 64); Guerrón (Contra 80), Casquero, Celestini, Gavilán; Albín, Manu (Soldado 64).

Saturday 30 August 2008

Squad For Sporting Gijón - Matchday 1

Freshly lifted from the official site is the convocatoria for the trip to Asturias:

Goalkeepers: 1. Pato; 31. Gonzalo.

Defenders: 2. Contra; 3. Cata Díaz; 5. Mario; 12. Licht; 15. Rafa; 21. D. Cortés; 24. Ibrahim.

Midfielders: 6. Celestini; 8. Gavilán; 16. Guerrón; 22. J. Casquero; 25. Granero.

Attackers: 9. Soldado; 10. Albín; 14. Manu; 18. Uche.

As you can see, Oscar Ustari is out - in fact he is injured long-term. While Geta try to find a loan replacement for the substitute 'keeper role, it's Gonzalo Galán who takes to the bench. Belenguer and Signorino are also injured.

At the back Ibrahim Kas and Rafa could make their Geta debuts, although I'd imagine it's more likely to be a back line of Contra - Cata Diáz - Mario - Licht.

In midfield there are surprisingly few options, but enough for either a diamond or a double pivot. I wonder if Guerrón isn't in line to play on the right; if he is, and Gavilán's on the left, then Granero could play just ahead of Javi Casquero in the middle.

Up front we're spoiled for choice. Soldado seems to be a shoo-in after being awarded the number 9 shirt and signing on with big things expected of him; either Manu or Uche should partner.

Of the new signings only Eugen Polanski and Adrián González have been omitted from the squad. Also not called up for technical reasons are Mario Cotelo, Kepa, and Sousa - no real surprise with those three, who are likely to be squad players for the season as a whole.

VAMOS AZULES!

Friday 29 August 2008

Liga Opener Just Hours Away

In just over 48 hours Geta will line up at El Molinón to contest the Liga opener against newly-promoted Sporting.

As we all know El Molinón is one of the most intimidating grounds in the country, and with the Gijón side being back in the top flight for the first time in a decade the atmosphere is going to be something special. What's more, they just defeated AC Milan in the Villa de Gijón final, too.

But we're not here for Sporting: we're here for Getafe. Geta will contest their first competitive match under the stewardship of Víctor Muñoz, and some of the new signings - not least Soldado - are also in line for their 'meaningful' debuts.

Muñoz said at a press conference yesterday that he was "delighted" with the attitude on show from his players - contrast that to Laudrup at the start of last season, by the way - and added that he wants all three points due to the fact that there is a forthnight between Matchdays 1 and 2. (That's because of the international break.)

There's been little hint as to the starting line-up so far, but a 4-4-2 with Granero providing the invention for Manu/Uche and Soldado does not seem out of the question. I will add more team news as it becomes available.

VAMOS GANAR! VAMOS AZULES!

Monday 18 August 2008

Squad Numbers Announced

The squad numbers for the new season have been announced, suggesting that the squad is closed. Notice that Manuel Tena, Luis Garcia, Pablo Redondo and Nacho - all out on loan - have not been assigned numbers. Furthermore there is not a third 'keeper named in the squad, meaning that Osky's absence must be covered by Getafe B stoppers such as Sancho or Galán.

Soldado will wear the number 9 as planned, while veteran skipper Mario Cotelo dons the number 7 jersey.

1. Ustari
2. Contra
3. Cata Díaz
4. Belenguer
5. Mario
6. Celestini
7. Mario Cotelo
8. Gavilán
9. Soldado
10. Albín
11. Sousa
12. Licht
13. Pato
14. Manu
15. Rafa
16. Guerrón
17. Kepa
18. Uche
19. Signorino
20. Polanski
21. D. Cortés
22. J. Casquero
23. Adrián
24. Ibrahim
25. Granero

Sunday 17 August 2008

Osky Out For Eight Months!

8, eight, ocho. That's how many months Getafe will be without Oscar Ustari after the goalkeeper fell injured at the Olympic Games, which in a footballing context are a waste of time.

Upon hearing of the extent of the youngster's injury, chairman Ángel Torres essentially conceded that Ustari will be unable to play a meaningful role this season.

Osky, a key member of the Copa del Rey and UEFA Cup sides of last season, injured his left foot while attempting to reach a long ball and had to be stretchered off.

Tercera Opposition - Harder Than They Should Have Been

Villarrobledo, a town that sounds made up, celebrated their 50th anniverssary with a match against Getafe at the Campo Municipal de Fútbol "Nuestra Señora La Virgen de la Caridad" (try fitting that in a chant.)

A small, historic town located way, way, way out in the wilds of Albacete, CP Villarrobledo are actually no strangers to Getafe, given that Getafe B play in the same Tercera División group as them.

Nonetheless the first team were a different proposition altogether, and they gave Getafe a tough game. In the end a solitary goal from Ike Uche was the only difference between the sides in front of 2,000 eager fans.

Line-ups nicked from the Geta official site:

VILLARROBLEDO:
Ortíz; Zapata; Seco; Neyra; Cano; P. Domínguez; Dorado; Antonio; J. Blas; Futre y Mario. También jugaron: Borgoñón; DIego; Pepelu; Benítez; Iras; Rubio; Raúl Martínez; Melero; José Luis.

GETAFE:
Pato; Contra; Belenguer; Ibrahim; Rafa; Guerrón; Celestini; Sousa; Adrián; Uche y Soldado. También jugaron: Gonzalo; Cortés; Cata Díaz; Mario; Licht; Mario Cotelo; Casquero; Polanski; Gavilán; Albín; Manu; Kepa y Juanfran.

Sunday 10 August 2008

More Friendly Wins

Yesterday Geta faced Vitesse Arnhem and emerged as 2-0 winners. Uche opened the scoring 15 minutes in; Manu doubled it a quarter-hour later. Overall this was a far, far better showing than most previous games and one truly worthy of admiration. No video yet.

Today, meanwhile, an altered line-up defeated non-leaguers SV Cuiyk 8-0 (eight-nil.) Albín managed the first two, Polanski hit the third, Celestino made it four, and then Albín sealed a 5-0 first half advantage with his third. He made it a personal four just after the break, leaving it to Celestini and Manu to seal the rout.

That concludes the trip to Holland. The guys fly back to Madrid tomorrow to prepare for the final stage of pre-season, comprising a game for the reserves with Villarrobledo, a local derby of sorts with Rayo Vallecano, and finally a trip to Salamanca.

Saturday 9 August 2008

Friendly Round Up Vol. II

Since last we met Victor Muñoz's side slammed Belgian mid-table side Lierse SK 3-0 thanks to goals from Contra (pen.), Granero, and Celestini. Set-pieces played a part; as well as the penalty, Granero's goal was a rather delightful free-kick. Video:



Of course it's great to see us rack up the goals, but the penalty in particular was won via an over-the-top, kick-and-rush ball, the kind of which generally doesn't work against the Liga's more cultured defences. So, there is still work to be done.

Today Geta meet Vitesse Arnhem, although I don't think there's a live stream.

Monday 4 August 2008

Friendly Round-Up

1. FC Nürnberg managed a 0-0 draw with El Geta at the weekend as the Azulones ended the brief German leg of their tour. Marca reports that the new-look midfield pairing of Eugen Polanski and Javi Casquero was positive, which certainly is cause for relief after the debacle against Olympiacos.

Back in the Netherlands, the site of that 2-1 loss to the Greeks, today sees a double training session in anticipation of a meeting with Lierse SK. Two days after that comes a sterner test in the form of Vitesse Arnhem. The day after, a presumably second-string side will go head to head with non-league outfit JVC 31 Cuijk, a mid-table side at the top level of the third tier of Dutch football.

Then it's back to Spain for a local-ish derby with Rayo Vallecano - well done to them for being back in the Segunda, by the way - on the 17th, and three days later it's off to UD Salamanca for the home side's presentation.