Saturday 29 January 2011

Levante 2-0 Getafe: Efficient Hosts Make Geta Pay The Price

1-0 Valdo 47'
2-0 Caicedo 54'

The word 'crisis' looms large after a humiliating loss to the relegation candidates...
... Few clear chances on goal, Manu sent off in frustration at the death...

Getafe fell to 10th in the table with a defeat at lowly Levante, meaning that 2011's barren winless run will now stretch into the month of February.

The hosts urgently needed a win to help pull clear of the dropzone and duly managed it: in a game that saw Levante enjoy very little possession, they nonetheless poured pressure on Oscar Ustari, resulting in two goals early in the second half.

Stats
Levante- Getafe
39% Possession 61%
6 Shots on target 0
3 Corners 3
100 Balls Lost 100
84 Balls Recovered 76
3 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 1
10 Fouls Committed 11
Getafe's early play, meanwhile, was entirely without imagination. The Azulones tried to press forward with a combination of through balls and wide runs, but couldn't break down the obstinate Levante defence.

The Valencians were able to threaten both on the counter, and more often from set pieces, with first a Caicedo header then a Valdo shot from a respective free-kick and corner almost giving Levante the lead on the half-hour.

Getafe coach Míchel deployed the team in a more attacking formation for the second period, and this was to cost the visitors dearly. Two minutes after the break former Osasuna man Valdo opened the scoring for Levante with a close-range finish after Felipe Caicedo flicked on Juanlu's cross.

On-form Caicedo netted his 7th of the season shortly afterwards, Juanlu again proving the architect with a neat cross between the centre-backs: Oscar Ustari could have done better here, neither coming out nor staying on his line, and thus gifting the powerful forward a routine finish.

Getafe's dreadful start to the year is taking its mental toll on the players, and this showed in dramatic fashion twelve minutes from time as captain Manu del Moral saw red for his part in a minor brawl that apparently stemmed from his refusing to kick the ball away when Asier del Horno was flat-out and allegedly injured. Levante's unused substitute Xisco Nadal was also sent to the dressing room.

Regardless of the merits of these sendings-off, Getafe were a man down, and there was no coming back. The Azulones now urgently need a win at home to Deportivo next Saturday afternoon to arrest a slide that's seen them lose four of their last five matches.

Levante: Munúa; Javi Venta, Ballesteros, Del Horno, Juanfran (Nano 66'); Xavi Torres, Pallardó; Valdo (Wellington 88'), Xisco Muñoz (Iborra 71'), Juanlu; Felipe Caicedo.

Getafe: Ustari; Miguel Torres (Colunga 65'), Cata Díaz, Rafa (Marcano 58'), Mané; Mosquera (Gavilán 56'), Boateng; Pedro Ríos, Parejo, Manu; Miku.

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Deportivo's Albero Lopo to join Getafe in summer, claims Marca

According to Marca, Deportivo La Coruña centre-back Alberto Lopo is to become Getafe's second signing of the summer after his current teammate Juan Rodríguez.

The former Espanyol stopper, who will turn 31 in May, is out of contract at the Riazor and as such will arrive on a Bosman deal to shore up the defence ahead of the 2011-12 campaign.

Born in Barcelona, Lopo has made over 300 appearances in La Liga over the past twelve years.

Sunday 23 January 2011

Getafe 1-3 Espanyol: Azulones surrender early lead to on-form Perequitos

1-0 Miku 13'
1-1 Luis García 52'
1-2 Callejón 59'
1-3 Sergio García 63'

Spiritless second half sees Getafe pay the price...
Espanyol had more quality and more desire...

Getafe lost out yet again in their quest for a European place in La Liga, surrendering an early lead to suffer a 3-1 defeat to on-form Espanyol in the first match of the second half of the season.

Having lost out to the Catalan side on the opening day of the 2010-11 campaign, the desire for revenge at the Coliseum was plainly evident. It went some way to being fulfilled when in the 13th minute Miku opened the scoring. The Venezuelan managed an absolute peach, weaving his way into the box past two defenders to shoot low past Carlos Kameni.

Stats
Getafe - Espanyol
45% Possession 55%
5 Shots on target 6
5 Corners 5
107 Balls Lost 110
81 Balls Recovered 83
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
15 Fouls Committed 6
Espanyol enjoyed some pressure after this, but the half ended with Daniel Parejo missing an absolute sitter - something that would cost Getafe dearly.

Seven minutes after the break Espanyol's renaissance began. Luis García was given too much time and space at the near post to control a Sergio García cross, and the deadly forward was able to launch a superb shot into the roof of the net from a narrow angle.

Getafe utterly collapsed at this point as José Callejón added a deserved second. The 23-year-old headed home from six yards a deep free-kick from Luis García, the home defence yet again found wanting in their own box.

Sergio García completed the eleven-minute, three-goal haul shortly afterwards with the simplest of first-time finishes, taking advantage of a Callejón through ball on the break.

Getafe have now gone five games without a win in all competitions and need a positive result at struggling Levante next Saturday to turn their recent run of poor form around.

Getafe: Ustari; Miguel Torres, Cata Díaz, Rafa, Marcano; Boateng (Casquero 72'), Víctor Sánchez (Albín 63'); Pedro Ríos (Colunga 73'), Parejo, Manu; Miku.

Espanyol: Kameni; Chica, Forlín, Víctor Ruíz, Dídac; Duscher (Jordi Amat 79'), Javi Márquez; Luis García, Verdú (Iván Alonso 89'), José Callejón; Sergio García (Cristian Álvarez 76').

Saturday 15 January 2011

Getafe 0-4 Real Sociedad: Early and late sucker-punches stun the Azulones

0-1 Xabi Prieto (pen.) 9'
0-2 Griezmann 32'
0-3 Aranburu 87'
0-4 Aranburu 88'


A bitterly disappointing result sees Getafe lose ground in the race for Europe...

... Txuri-urdin scored early, while Getafe couldn't find their shooting boots...

A wasteful and careless performance from Getafe saw underdogs Real Sociedad run out 4-0 winners at the Coliseum to bring the first half of the La Liga season to a close.

While Geta will be pleased to finish the ida round in the top half, they will nonetheless be devastated at suffering a home defeat to the off-form San Sebastian side on the 19th matchday.

Míchel had a near-full squad to choose from, with only Pedro Ríos missing from the regular first XI. Víctor Sánchez dropped into the pivot to allow Dani Parejo a slot in attacking midfield, further permitting Manu del Moral to move out to the right wing.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, were without Alberto de la Bella at centre-back, necessitating the inclusion of Mikel Labaka. David Zurutuza's absence in midfield necessitated the inclusion of Gorka Elustondo in the pivot - a selection choice by coach Martín Lasarte that would prove inspired.

Despite Getafe's bright start, matters quickly turned dark for the hosts as Real won an early penalty. Jordi Codina tipped away a deep Xabi Prieto cross, but only as far as Miguel Torres, who clearly hand-balled. Codina went the right way but Xabi Prieto's shot was low and true, giving the embattled Basques the lead.

Stats
Getafe - R. Sociedad
68% Possession 32%
3 Shots on target 4
10 Corners 2
90 Balls Lost 90
65 Balls Recovered 74
3 Yellow Cards 4
0 Red Cards 0
6 Fouls Committed 17
Things went from bad to worse for Geta on the half hour as Real doubled their advantage on the counter. Joseba Llorente's running cross met the unmarked Antoine Griezmann at the far post, the young Frenchman volleying a first-time shot off the pitch into the back of the net.

From there Getafe enjoyed the bulk of the chances and possession, but found themselves stymied time and again by profligate finishing.

This was especially true in terms of long shots: both Derek Boateng and Dani Parejo saw plenty of the ball and were useful in the pass, but whenever a shot presented itself on the edge of the area the fans behind the goal were in greater danger than visiting 'keeper Claudio Bravo.

Frustration found its way into Getafe's play late on, and even the introduction of Juan Albín in the second half couldn't prevent a further collapse.

The exodus from the stands was well underway by this point, but the seats empited out in earnest as Real managed a third on the counter right at the death. It was a brilliant team move that culminated in Xabi Prieto's cutting the ball back for a slotted finish from Mikel Aranburu.

Less than a minute later the txuri-urdin added an incredible fourth. Again it was a goal on the break and again it was Aranburu who finished the move off. Yet again Xabi Prieto sliced the ball in from the right flank, and again the Basque midfielder was unmarked to steer it into the net at the far post.

It was an ignominious end to one of Getafe's worst afternoons of the season, and one that will surely give Míchel a sleepness night. How ten of Geta's regular first eleven could capitulate so easily at home is a question with no clear answer - but it's up to the coach to dig until he finds one.

Getafe: Codina; Miguel Torres (Albín 46'), Rafa, Cata Díaz, Mané (Marcano 62'); Boateng, Víctor Sánchez; Manu del Moral, Parejo, Gavilán (Mosquera 65'); Colunga.

Real Sociedad: Bravo; Estrada, Ansotegi, Labaka, Mikel González; Rivas (Markel 57'), Elustondo; Xabi Prieto, Zurutuza (Aranburu 84'), Griezmann (Sutil 67'); Joseba Llorente.

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Getafe's best XI of the decade: 2000-2010

At the request of ForzaFutbol I have compiled my best Getafe XI of the past decade. Of course as I only "seriously" started watching Getafe in 2006, I needed a little help. My gratitude to the posters at the Getafeweb forum for their assistance and advice.

Roberto 'Pato' Abbondanzieri (GK): The first name on the teamsheet and the man who more than any other exemplified Getafe's rise from minnows to La Liga mainstays. A real coup of a signing: as Argentina's number one he had plenty of options throughout Europe, but he chose Getafe. His twilight years were well-spent at the Coliseum, and although he is uncharitably remembered for high-profile errors against Bayern Munich he remains the only Geta player to have won Marca's "Zamora" award for top goalie, shipping just 32 league goals in the 2006-07 campaign.

Cosmin Contra (DR): A fiery figure who spent four injury-hit but brilliant years at the club, Contra was a tough-tackling, line-hugging full-back for the ages. A fan favourite due to his combative nature on the pitch, and a problem child in the dressing room due to the same off it, he was a player who, once seen, was never forgotten. Left under something of a cloud in 2010 but the memories of his tenure mark him out as the best and most influential right-back of the last ten years.

David Belenguer (DC): A defender neither fast nor tall, David Belenguer nonetheless served as Getafe's skipper and first choice centre-back for over half the decade. Present for all the team's best moments, including promotion, and always reliable. Still one of the most revered names in the club's history and still playing at the age of 38 at Real Betis.

Alexis (DC): It was virtually impossible to choose between Alexis and current centre-back Cata Díaz. Alexis only narrowly gets the nod: were it not for injuries his career might have gone in a better direction, but even so his calm, assured, almost languid defensive performances were a joy to behold during his all-too-brief stay at the Coliseum. A one-season wonder who should have remained..

Pernía (DL): The big-domed Argentine became Getafe's first Spanish international when he took citizenship and donned the red shirt before crossing town to join Atlético Madrid. Prior to that he was one of Getafe's greatest finds, arriving from Recre in Geta's top-flight debut season. Like Contra, he wasn't a defender who restricted himself to his own half, but one who used every inch of the touchline.

Pedro León (MR): Like Alexis, Pedro only stopped at the Coliseum for a single campaign. But the impact he had was undeniable. The classiest right-midfielder in the club's history - ousting even Pablo Hernández - Pedro was as likely to score goals as he was to set them up, and more often than not they were audacious screamers that most players wouldn't even try on the training ground. Ultimately sold to Real Madrid for €10m - his release clause.

Rubén de la Red (MC): A commanding, sophisticated midfielder whose career was sadly cut short in its prime. De la Red enjoyed one tremendous season at Getafe in which he would become the best pivot the club had ever seen. Alongside erstwhile Madrid teammate Esteban Granero he formed a devastating trigger to most attacking moves, and his positional sense was well-utilised in the defensive phase. He rejoined his boyhood club Madrid in the summer of 2008; three months later his career was over due to heart trouble. He was just 23 when he hung up his boots to take up coaching.

Ángel Vivar Dorado (MC):
Of all the players on this list, Vivar Dorado joined the club the earliest, signing from nearby Rayo Vallecano in 2002. Prior to this he'd represented local rivals Leganés, Tenerife, and Racing - but it was at Getafe that he finally made his mark as a tenacious and classy attacking midfielder. Always entertaining to watch, his was the name on most replica shirts in the middle of the decade.

Jaime Gavilán (MR): Narrowly the best left-sided player in the club's history, there is a nagging feeling that despite Jaime's undoubted talents, he's yet to fully unleash his potential. Still, he's a mainstay on the left wing and offers a great deal of finesse and control when on the ball. Spent two loan spells at the club before finally signing on full-time in 2008: now he's considered an automatic first pick.

Roberto Soldado (ST): Two seasons and over 30 goals, Roberto Soldado is now onto bigger and better things at Valencia, having been let go by boyhood club Real Madrid earlier in his career. What a poor piece of judgement from the Bernabéu side, who failed to see the potential that the rest of Spanish football noticed in Soldado's pace, power, control, and of course that deadly shot. A true team player who breaks the mould of the "poaching" forward.

Dani Güiza (ST): Dani didn't manage quite as many goals in Madrid as did Roberto, but in his two seasons at Getafe he nonetheless proved himself to be one of the league's fastest-improving forwards. Never the type to drop back too much, he was a penalty-box forward of the old school, and had a fierce and accurate shot that put most other forwards to shame. Eventually re-joined Mallorca and is now at Fenerbahce in Turkey. Every so often he's linked with a move back to Geta - how the fans wish it were true!

Honorable Mentions (7-Man Subs' Bench): Jordi Codina (GK); Cata Díaz (DC), Javier Paredes (DR); Derek Boateng (DM/MC), Manu del Moral (AMC/AML/ST), Pablo Hernández (AMR); Gica (ST).

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Getafe sign Juan Rodríguez on a pre-contract from Deportivo La Coruña

Getafe have made their first summer signing by landing central midfielder Juan Rodríguez on a Bosman deal.

The former Málaga player has been at the Riazor since 2006, racking up over 150 appearances in that time.

With his contract set to expire, Getafe president Ángel Torres has moved to secure his signature for next season.

Rodríguez has signed a deal of unknown duration and could yet be joined by Depor teammate Alberto Lopo. Marca claims that the experienced centre-back is also on Torres' shopping list and could be the next pre-contract arrival at the Coliseum.

Incomings, Outgoings

The addition to the squad of Rodríguez may signify greater changes to come. Currently the double pivot in coach Míchel's 4-2-3-1 is occupied by Derek Boateng and Dani Parejo: with rumours that one or both of these players could be subject to bids from larger sides, it is not impossible that Rodríguez is being eyed as a replacement.

On the other hand, Parejo could simply move further up the pitch, leaving Rodríguez to slot into his place. That, then, may spell the end for long-serving midfielder Javier Casquero or bit-part man Borja Fernández, the latter of whom only arrived at Geta this past summer.

Sunday 9 January 2011

Osasuna 0-0 Getafe: Azulones weather second-half storm to leave with draw

A game of poor finishing and much excitement ends goalless...
... The visitors started well but were clearly second-best in the closing 45

Getafe may have enjoyed some fine first half chances but in the end were grateful to leave Pamplona with a point after Osasuna dominated the second half of an entertaining fixtre in La Liga.

The hosts struggled early on but came out for the second period looking mobile and ambitious, and only poor finishing on their part saw this game end without a name on the scoresheet.

Despite the lack of definition from the strikers this was a fine match for the spectator with plenty of talking points, and from a Getafe supporter's perspective even the damp second half showing was an improvement on Thursday's debacle against Real Betis.

Osasuna lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 with goal-shy Carlos Aranda starting alone up front, while versatile youngster Oier moved into midfield with Damia dropping back to full-back.

Getafe opted to use Javier Arizmendi as the lone striker in the continued absence of Adrián Colunga, while Manu del Moral skippered the team from the number 10 position with the rest of the side lining up as expected.

Kristztian Vadócz almost set up Aranda for the opener after just six minutes, but the forward, who got the best of Rafa, failed to take advantage of his chance.

Ten minutes later Jaime Gavilán teed up Arizmendi for a chance of similar quality but again the forward was found wanting when it mattered.

Gavilán was looking best for Getafe an was always active
Stats
Osasuna - Getafe
56% Possession 44%
4 Shots on goal 7
7 Corners 10
105 Balls Lost 109
87 Balls Recovered 85
4 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
14 Fouls Committed 10
on the counter in a first half in which the Azulones more than held their own.

Dani Parejo, meanwhile, took a while to get going but when he did it was worth the wait, as five minutes before the break he brought out a tremendous save from home 'keeper Ricardo after a stunning solo effort.

After the interval, though, Getafe met an Osasuna side clearly all the better for their fifteen-minute break, and the hosts began to control the match in earnest.

After the interval Osasuna enjoyed fifteen minutes of near-uninterrupted pressure, much to the delight of the famously vocal home fans. A series of efforts from outside the area threatened Geta's security, with Juanfran's swerving low effort coming the closest.

Osasuna claimed for a penalty for handball against Derek Boateng after the hour mark, but this was a sign of desperation as there was really no contact: for all Osasuna's dominance in possession it seemed as though a spot kick was the only way they'd be able to truly test Jordi Codina.

Home coach José Antonio Camacho made two changes heading into the final twenty minutes, bringing on Dejan Lekic in midfield and Walter Pandiani up front, but in fact this disrupted the flow of the Navarre side's attacks somewhat.

Still, Osasuna were the better side in the closing stages and Getafe struggled to make headway. Interestingly visiting coach Míchel did not make his substitutions until just five minutes from time, with Víctor Sánchez coming on for Gavilán and Juan Ángel Albín replacing Arizmendi to run down the clock until full time.

Osasuna will thus finish the weekend six points clear of the dropzone, while Getafe miss the chance to threaten the top six. Next up for the Azulones is a home match with Real Sociedad to close off the first half of the season, while Osasuna travel to on-form Villarreal.

Osasuna: Ricardo; Damiá, Sergio, Miguel Flaño, Nelson; Lolo (Lekic 66'), Puñal; Juanfran, Vadócz, Camuñas (Calleja 84'); Aranda (Pandiani 66').

Getafe:
Codina; Torres, Rafa, Cata Díaz, Mané; Boateng, Parejo; Pedro Ríos (Albín 47'), Gavilán (Mosquera 76'), Manu del Moral (Casquero 66'); Miku.

Thursday 6 January 2011

Manu del Moral agrees terms with Atlético Madrid, says Marca

Getafe skipper Manu del Moral could be on his way back to his boyhood club, according to Radio Marca.

The 26-year-old arrived at Getafe from Atleti in 2006 and since then has established himself as a key player at the Coliseum.

However, Radio Marca reporter Alfredo Dura claims that the Azulones would not stand in the way of Manu's move back across the Manzanares to Atleti, providing that the transfer fee is correct.

With Manu under contract until the summer of 2012, a price tag in the low millions is not out of the question, now that terms have apparently been agreed upon between new club and player.

While the absence of a popular and versatile attacker will dent Getafe's hopes for the season, there is at least the possibility that the money received for Manu - combined with that for summer departures Roberto Soldado and Pedro León - may be re-invested in the squad for next season.

Getafe 1-3 Real Betis (3-4 agg.): Copa del Rey adventure ends with a whimper

0-1 Jorge Molina 56'
0-2 Rubén Castro 72'
0-3 Rubén Castro 90'
1-3 Casquero 90+2'

Barcelona spoils go to Béticos as Getafe surrender at home...
... worst performance of the season enough to undo good work of first leg

Getafe crashed out of the Copa del Rey after a dreadful second-half performance at home against Segunda División giants Real Betis.

The Andalucians to their credit, were in great form, and were it not for home 'keeper Oscar Ustari they might indeed have won by a greater margin.

Only in the second half did Jorge Molina hit a deft floating shot that finally beat the Argentine, before Rubén Castro took advantage of a great pass from Salva Sevilla to add a second.

Castro added a third with a rolled shot right at the death, and while skipper Javier Casquero showed fighting spirit to pull one back deep into stoppage time it was nowhere near enough.

Real Betis fully deserve their meeting with Barcelona in the next round. Getafe now must focus on the league.

Getafe: Ustari; Pablo Pintos, Rafa (cata Díaz 57'), Marcano, Miguel Torres; Víctor Sánchez, Boateng; Mosquera (Manu del Moral 46'), Parejo (Casquero 69'), Albín; Miku.

Real Betis: Casto; Isidoro, Miki Roqué, Chechu Dorado (Arzu 62'), Nacho; Salva Sevilla, Beñat, Iriney, Emaná (Ezequiel 51'); Rubén Castro, Molina (Israel 80').

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Adrián Colunga could make bench return against Real Betis

Getafe's star striker Adrián Colunga has trained normally after overcoming an Achilles tendon injury and is in the provisional squad to face Real Betis in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

However, coach Míchel has stated that the forward will not start the match, but instead may play from the bench.

"Adrián has completed his first training session, but under no circumstances will he be a starter," he told Marca.

Pedro Ríos, stricken with a stomach bug, is also in the 22-man list but is very unlikely to play.

Only central defender Mario, out long-term with a tendon injury. He is due to return around March.

Getafe are 2-1 up on aggregate against Real Betis, with the second leg taking place at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on Thursday at 12:00 local time.

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Pedro Ríos the latest Getafe star to fall prey to illness

On-form Getafe winger Pedro Ríos is set to miss Thursday's Copa del Rey encounter against Real Betis due to gastroenteritis.

The former Xerez man had to leave the field early during Geta's 3-2 home defeat to Real Madrid on Monday night, being replaced by Juan Ángel Albín shortly after half-time.

Coach Míchel told As after the match that the 29-year-old was in fact ill for most of the week, and that it was touch-and-go as to whether or not he'd take part at all.

Now, it seems, that he's laid low ahead of Thursday's match with the Béticos. Getafe lead 2-1 on aggregate following the first leg in Seville.

Getafe-Real Madrid reactions: Ángel Torres says it wasn't a penalty, José Mourinho cagey, Dani Parejo argues Geta could have equalised

Ángel Torres: "Madrid didn't deserve this result. An error made the difference between us and them, but, well, this isn't our league, and we gave a good account of ourselves.

"Di María's penalty wasn't a penalty. If that merited a whistle you'd see 20 every day. Referees are human and make mistakes. Now we need to think ahead to Thursday and the Copa del Rey knockout stages.

"Dani Parejo? Madrid's idea is to recover, but we have to speak later."

Dani Parejo: "We had opportunities to level the game. We came out strongly, as this is a match that always motivates you to play well. Against Real Madrid we wanted to do our best to avoid what happened last year.

"Despite losing we played well. We had a positive mindset at all times: despite going two-nil down early on it was an open match. We gave Real Madrid some dangerous moments and the coach congratulated us despite our loss."

"The penalty? It was doubtful.

José Mourinho: "Penalties, I've only seen on TV, like that of weeks ago at Osasuna and Cristiano Ronaldo's at Camp Nou. From the bench it was difficult to see today's.

"It was a strange game: at the beginning it could have been a thrashing, but at the end of the first half it felt like we'd lost control and had to change focus. In the second half we started well and that calmed us, but Arbeloa's red card and the Getafe goal made us suffer untol the last second.

"Kaká is back and that's fantastic news for Real Madrid and the world of football."

Monday 3 January 2011

Getafe 2-3 Real Madrid: Controversial penalty sets stage for hard-fought Blanco win

0-1 Cristiano Ronaldo (pen.) 11'
0-2 Özil 19'
1-2 Parejo 28'
1-3 Cristiano Ronaldo 57'
2-3 Albín 85'

Cristiano Ronaldo nets twice as Real Madrid win again...
... A match with two fine goals, two defensive gaffes, and one controversial penalty

Real Madrid were worth their win against Getafe at the Coliseum Alfono Pérez on Monday evening, but the debate over their opening goal is set to rage on long after the pitch is empty.

Angel Di María went down in the box under pressure from Getafe left-back Mané after eleven minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo converting the resulting spot-kick: still pictures show that Mané had a hand on the Argentine's shirt, but the Getafe players fiercely protested, stating that contact was minimal.

There were to be no question marks over the second goal. Di María was again involved, this time springing a perfect through ball for the fleet-footed Mesut Özil, who rounded Jordi Codina for a narrow-angled finish. A superb piece of teamwork it was, but it found the Getafe centre-backs wanting all the same.

Stats
53% Possession 47%
5 Shots on goal 5
3 Corners 2
87 Balls Lost 85
60 Balls Recovered 62
4 Yellow Cards 5
0 Red Cards 1
14 Fouls Committed 21
Of even finer quality was Dani Parejo's effort ten minutes later. The former Real Madrid youth halved the deficit with a superb solo effort, weaving past Raul Albiol and Lass Diarra into the box before firing past Iker Casillas into the far corner.

Getafe came out strongly after the break but succumbed to another Cristiano Ronaldo goal. Jordi Codina issued a dreadful clearance as far as Özil, who in turn provided Karim Benzema to set up CR9 for an easy finish.

The hosts tried to press forward but succeeded mainly in leaving themselves exposed at the back, resulting in a series of chances for Madrid: one of these, a three-on-one occasion, should have resulted in a goal, but a lazy finish from Benzema saw Codina gather the ball to his considerable relief.

In the last fifteen minutes - after Real Madrid's long-awaited reintroduction of Kaká - Getafe began to seize possession once more, and they were given a glimmer of hope in the 81st when Álvaro Arbeloa saw a second yellow card for handling a deep Mané cross.

Almost immediately Getafe took advantage, substitute Juan Ángel Albín bundling home a Pedro Mosquera cross after a dreadful touch in the box from Marcelo left the ball in the Uruguayan's path.

But despite pressing to the end neither side could add a sixth goal to the evening. Real Madrid thus end the weekend two points behind Barcelona at the top, while Getafe remain seventh on 26.

Getafe: Codina; Torres, Rafa, Cata Díaz, Mané; Boateng, Parejo; Pedro Ríos (Albín 47'), Gavilán (Mosquera 76'), Manu del Moral (Casquero 66'); Miku.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo; Lass (Khedira 46'), Xabi Alonso; Di María, Özil (Garay 85'), Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema (Kaká 75').

Getafe-Real Madrid line-ups confirmed

Both teams have confirmed their line-ups for La Liga's matchday 17 encounter between Getafe and Real Madrid. The elevens and benches are as follows:

Getafe: Codina; Torres, Rafa, Cata Díaz, Mané; Boateng, Parejo; Pedro Ríos, Gavilán, Manu del Moral; Miku.
Subs: Ustari; Kas, Pintos; Mosquera, Casquero; Arizmendi, Albín.
Key points: Boateng recovers from flu in time to start. Otherwise it's as expected.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo; Lass, Xabi Alonso; Di María, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema.
Subs: Adán; Garay; Khedira, Gago, Granero, Pedro León, Kaka.
Key points: Lassana Diarra has won the race to join Xabi Alonso in midfield, rendering Sami Khedira a substitute. Kaká is expected to play at least some of the second half.

See also the Getafe-Real Madrid preview.

Derek Boateng and Borja set to miss Real Madrid clash

Borja Fernández has apparently not recovered in time to start against Real Madrid on Monday evening, according to Marca. The defensive midfielder remains absent, although he could recover in time for the Thursday clash with Real Betis.

More worrying is the fact that inspirational pivot Derek Boateng could well miss tonight's Madrid encounter. The Ghana international missed training last week due to flu and his recovery has not gone as quickly as hoped.

Nonetheless he has been included in the provisional 19-man list for tonight's game, with Alberto Escassi drafted in to cover in case Derek fails to make it.

Tonight's predicted line-up is thus amended to have Casquero in place of Boateng.

Real Madrid Castilla 0-1 Getafe B: Second string sets a good omen?

0-1 Rudy 2'

Getafe's reserves stay in the promotion hunt with a narrow away win...
... has the stage been set for a first team victory on Monday evening?

Getafe B pulled off a 1-0 win over their Real Madrid counterparts on Sunday afternoon in what Azules fans will hope was a dress-rehearsal for the match between the first teams on Monday night.

21-year-old midfielder Rudy scored his fourth league goal in five starts after just two minutes, and this proved to be the only strike of the game.

Thus Geta B remain in fifth place, one point and spot off the promotion play-off zone, while Castilla are a distant tenth.

Getafe B entered the Segunda B for the first time this season after winning their promotion play-off against Portugalete back in June.

Sunday 2 January 2011

Getafe - Real Madrid Preview: La Liga Jornada 17

Primera División: Jornada 17
Monday January 3, 22:00 CET
Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, Getafe


Getafe's much-deserved winter break will come to an end in dramatic circumstances on Monday night as the Azulones host near-neighbours Real Madrid in La Liga's seventeenth matchday.

The famous Galácticos are trying to keep pace with Barcelona at the league's summit, while Getafe's recent run of excellent form has propelled the hosts to seventh position in the table.

A mere look at the clubs' respective statures - not to mention wage bills - would suggest an easy away victory, but in fact matches between these sides are often close and frequently shocking. Overall Getafe have won fully four of the twelve league meetings between the sides, with the Blancos coming out victorious in six.

Familiarity may breed contempt among the fans, but the opposite is true at board level. Getafe president Ángel Torres is a Real Madrid socio, coach Míchel a former Bernabéu player, and of course there is no shortage of former Madrid talent in the Getafe line-up. At the other end, Pedro Léon left the Coliseum for Chamartín in the close season, while centre-back Raúl Albiol spent his early career at Geta on loan from Valencia.

Last Season
Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe (Higuaín 2)
Getafe 2-4 Real Madrid (Parejo, Pedro León - C. Ronaldo 2, Higuaín 2)

But the two sides' supporters, as mentioned, do not get on well. Real Madrid defeneder Pepe raked his studs down Javier Casquero's back in a fraught encounter at the end of the 2008-09 season; stewards at the Bernabéu have taunted Getafe fans in the past; and overall the atmosphere is not expected to be pleasant.

Getafe are still without Adrián Colunga and Pedro Mosquero due to injury, while Víctor Sánchez and Iván Marcano are suspended. Other than that, coach Míchel has pledged not to change from his usual 4-2-3-1, stating that Madrid hold no fear for his side. Borja Fernández's return from injury, meanwhile, could help the boss steel up the defensive midfield if so required in the second period.

Míchel's opposite number José Mourinho doesn't have his sorrows to seek: he has just two forwards available, with Gonzalo Higuaín still being out of commission. Plus, starting centre-backs Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe are both banned, meaning that a defensive reshuffle is on the cards. The only piece of good news for Mourinho is that Kaká is back after almost a year on the sidelines, although he may not start this encounter.

Probable line-ups
Getafe
Real Madrid