Thursday 31 July 2008

Olympiacos vs Getafe - Live

Here.

Enjoy.

Line-up: Pato; Contra, Cata, Mario, Licht; Cotelo (Guerrón 27), Granero, Celestini, Gavilán; Manu, Uche

So far: 1-0 Olympiacos after 43 minutes through former Real Sociedad hero Darko Kovacevic, who scored at a poorly-defended corner. Pato was slightly indecisive; Licht should have cleared the ball at the post; wheover was marking Darko (I didn't see who) failed to deal with their man. Not encouraging.

Full Time Update: It finished 1-0 to Olympiacos. A very poor performance from Getafe, for whom Albín and the youths were the only real stand-outs. Worryingly, Guerrón was awful, as was Contra.

Wednesday 30 July 2008

Soldado Signs - Official

Soldado has officially signed a four-year deal at Getafe from Real Madrid. The Azulones have paid an initial fee of €4m for the Spanish international striker.

This is without question the most ambitious signing of the summer, outranking even the arrivals of Esteban Granero and Ibrahim Kas.

Needless to say Soldado inherits the #9 shirt from Braulio, meaning that he keeps the same number he wore at Madrid last season.

Tuesday 29 July 2008

Pre-Season Starts With A Win; Soldado Approaches

Geta defeated Gimnástica Segoviana this weekend thanks to goals from Manu, Uche, young Juanfran, Cortés, and new signing Ibrahim Kas. Business as usual, really.

Soldado is appararently close to arriving after Madrid accepted a €6m bid. Presumably this comes with incentives and a buy-back clause.

Tuesday 22 July 2008

New Kits Released; Transfer Round-Up

Getafe have released their new strips, which you can see in this short video:



I am personally not a huge fan of the red flashes on the home kit, but the third kit (the black one) is quite attractive.

What the video does not show too well is that the small red rectangle on the back of the neck is in fact the flag of the Community of Madrid:



So, that's nice.

On the incoming transfer front, Roberto Soldado remains a serious target but Real Madrid have upped the ante a bit by summoning him to Austria for their pre-season training camp - it's not thought that they are desperate to keep him, but this is a clear show of strength against Geta's offers. Jaime Gavilán, a definite arrival, has penned a four-year deal. Granero, having signed and sealed his deal, is still pining for a return to Madrid in the future. (Who can blame him?)

Outgoing are Pablo Redondo, who joins Nastic, Nacho, who is loaned to Málaga, and quite possibly Manu del Moral, whom Mallorca are sniffing around.

Sunday 13 July 2008

GRRRRANERO!

We've got him.

Despite his saying last month that he was determined to remain at Real Madrid, Esteban Granero has decided to join up with Getafe on a five-season deal.

There is, however, a buy-back option (as with Ruben de la Red's move.)

Granero made 27 Liga appearances for Los Azulones last season.

Friday 11 July 2008

The Unknown Soldier

As is claiming today that Geta are on the verge of sealing the signature of Roberto Soldado for €8m.

The Spanish international was brought back to Madrid at the beginning of last season following an impressive loan spell at Osasuna, with whom he hit a double-figure goal tally in his first season of any length in the top flight.

As a son of the Bernabéu cantera he was re-acquired amidst much fanfare and integrated into Bernd Schuster's first team squad ahead of the Liga campaign. But as a true son of the cantera he then sat in the stands chewing gum with the rest of the ballast.

In any case the 'boy soldier' is understandably none too pleased at being given the 'number 9' shirt and then treated more like a 99, and thus it will be of little surprise if he flakes out on Madrid during the summer.

Benfica and Espanyol seemed to be close to signing him at one point, but now it seems as though Getafe are in the lead. Should sr. Torres sign the €8m cheque for the 23-year-old Valencian then he will also become our record signing.

In news equally as exciting, Esteban Granero is apparently having second thoughts about his decision to remain at Real Madrid, come what may, next season. Having enjoyed such a stellar season with the Azulones, he may opt to come back if he decides that first team action for the blancos will be a step too far next season.

Thursday 3 July 2008

Oscar Ustari In Argentina Olympic Squad

Osky is one of two goalkeepers called up by coach Sergio Batista for the Olympic Games, which begin in Beijing on August 8th.

The young stopper only made a handful of first-team appearances for Getafe last season, fluctuating wildly between impressive stops and horrific gaffes.

In any case he will look to rebuild his damaged reputation with some fine international showings.