Europa League Preview: OB Odense - Getafe

With Getafe having put in a suberb performance against Sevilla on Saturday evening, confidence is high among the Azulones. Yet the Madrid side's current European form leaves much to be desired, and as such nothing can be taken for granted ahead of Wednesday's visit to Odense to face OB.

With four games played in the Europa League group stage Getafe are on the verge of European elimination, having taken just three points so far. Those came against OB themselves at the Coliseum back on Matchday 1, Javier Arizmendi and Pedro Ríos bringing Geta back from a goal down.

Since then two losses to Young Boys of Bern and Stuttgart render Getafe decided outsiders to progress: defeat, in fact, will almost certainly result in elimination, while even a draw will not be good enough if already-qualified Stuttgart lose to the Swiss.

Geta coach Míchel, still beaming from Saturday's result, has put aside all talk of his managerial future to focus on Wednesday's game, calling up a strong squad replete with regular first teamers. Rafa returns to the squad after recent injury, but Javier Casquero and Javier Arizmendi are unable to recover in time to travel to Denmark.

OB are yet to announce their squad but in the aftermath of their 2-0 defeat to Brondby in a match vital for both sides' Champions league aspirations, coach Henrik Clausen may ring the changes, particularly as influential midfielder Hans Henrik Andreasen limped off injured midway through the first half. The veteran, who scored twice against Young Boys in OB's last Europa League outing, is now doubtful for the Geta clash.

The Odense club have realistically given up their title ambitions already, with FC Copenhagen leading by 19 points after just 18 games, but need to remain in the top four to secure a European spot for next season; and with Getafe not safe from being sucked into the relegation mire, this tie may take a back seat for both sides.

Nonetheless OB will feel that there is a score to settle and their small but loud set of fans are likely to produce an atmosphere that was sadly lacking at the Coliseum last time these sides met.

Probable line ups:

Getafe: Ustari; Miguel Torres, Cata Díaz, Ibrahim Kas, Mané; Boateng, Borja; Pedro Ríos, Albín, Manu; Miku.

OB: Carroll; Ruud, Moller Christensen, Haland, Sorensen; Traoré, Djemba-Djemba, Feldballe/Andreasen, Kadrii; Johansson; Utaka.

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In other news, Eugen Polanski has made permanent his loan move from Getafe to high-flying Bundesliga outfit Mainz, siging a deal with the Pfalz side until 2014.

Transfer Outs, And An In

Eugen Polanski has gone on loan to Mainz back in his native Germany, while Miguel Pallardo is back at Levante on yet another loan deal.

Both of these moves are great for all parties. Polanski isn't good enough for Getafe and Pallardo seems to be well settled back home in Valencia.

We're also losing Jacobo back to Valladolid and Stojkovic back to Sporting Lisbon, but, er, today comes the 'great' news of the arrival of Jordi Codina from Real Madrid.

I have never been impressed by Codina on the few occasions that I've seen him, and for those calling up the Diego Lopez comparisons, let's remember that Lopez left Madrid for something like €6m. Codina comes to Getafe for free.

Hopefully he'll be second choice to Osky...

Getafe 2-1 Recreativo Huelva

At. Last.

Two months without victory; two goals from Roberto Soldado; too much to take as we sought to hold onto a lead that has in the past looked all too often far too fragile.

It's a sad state of affairs that we must celebrate a victory over fellow strugglers Recreativo Huelva as something out of the ordinary, yet here we are: we will be merry tonight because we edged out the Andalucians 2-1.

I didn't watch the game - just followed it on Marca - so I will reserve judgement for now, but I ask you this: why do we play better when Polanski is taken off? :)

Still, the time for remonstrations is later. For now, celebration. WE ARE STAYING UP!

Transfer Round-Up

Busy, busy, busy.

Adrián González, a Real Madrid youth, arrives on loan after a spell at Nastic. He's a midfielder. He's Michel González's son, since you ask. A 19-year-old attacking-midfielder, apparently. Played an incredible 38 out of 42 games in Real Madrid Castilla's relegation season of 2006-07, and 13 so far for Nastic this season, seven as a substitute. (If Nastic go down as well then he's quite clearly a jinx and must be avoided.)

Rafael López, better known as 'Rafa', spent the last while at Valladolid but now moves Geta-wards on a Bosman. At 23 he's more experienced than half the squad and should be prized for that alone. Decent from what I've seen, but I don't think he'll be a Cata Díaz.

Rumour has it that Eugen Polanski has been confirmed. This is an interesting one: he's been flying high at Borrusia Mönchengladbach in the 2. Bundesliga, and although they've now been promoted to the top flight he seems to be on his way to Getafe. This would, if the reviews from Germany are anything to go by, would be a tremendous signing - and an ambitious one.

İbrahim Kaş is another ambitious one. Thankfully, though, he's confirmed: the 21-year-old, who can play across the back line, will definitely be here in summer after ending his spell at Besiktas on a Bosman deal. Excitingly, he's a fully capped Turkish international.

Oh - and Laudrup is leaving. Probably not for Benfica.

AUPA GETA!