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.