Sporting Gijón 2-1 Getafe: Late heartbreaker keeps Geta in trouble

0-1 Miku 34'
1-1 Trejo 45+5'
2-1 Novo 89'

Ten-man visitors can't hold their nerve in exciting clash...
... A match full of cards saw referee Turienzo Álvarez take centre stage...

Despite taking an early lead at the tough arena that is the Molinón, Getafe once again left an away match empty-handed after suffering late goals at the end of each half in a 2-1 defeat.

An eventful match had referee Turienzo Álvarez dish out no fewer than ten yellow cards. Eight of these to the visitors, including two to Abdel Barrada.

However, the whistler also missed a stonewall penalty for Sporting just before the half-time break, mitigating somewhat his fastidiousness elsewhere.

With Geta having a strong top-flight record against the Asturian outfit both sides sought to attack from the outset, with Sporting using the flanks well as Geta pushed their full-backs forward.

The first side to draw blood was Getafe, though, with Miku's skills in the box justifying his selection ahead of Dani Güiza as he fired home from 15 yards and a narrow angle.

The visitors then tried their best to hold on until half time and, despite a game-ending injury for Miguel Torres, seemed to have done so when Álvarez inexplicably missed a clear handball in the box from Cata Díaz.

But Sporting enjoyed a karmic boost as they equalised right at the end of stoppage time, Óscar Trejo burying it from the edge of the area when Miguel Moyà was caught off his line after a corner.

The second half once again saw much attacking from both team, with neither happy with the idea of a draw. Sporting were given an advantage in their quest on the hour mark when Abdel Barrada deservedly picked up a second booking for a clear dive in the box.

From there the game was largely even, but numerical superiority paid off right at the death as substitute Nacho Novo pounced on a Moyà parry to head home from close range and seal victory for the Rojiblancos.

Getafe finish the weekend on 10 points, two behind their hosts, and depending on results elsewhere could yet end up in the dropzone ahead of the home match with champions Barcelona next weekend.

Sporting: Juan Pablo, Damián, Botía, Iván Hernández, Canella, Rivera (Sangoy 63), Nacho Cases (Eguren 84), Óscar Trejo (Nacho Novo 81), André Castro, De las Cuevas, Barral. Getafe: Moyà, Miguel Torres (Sarabia 43), Cata, Rafa, Mané, Míchel, Lacen, Valera, Diego Castro (Juan Rodríguez 71), Abdel Barrada, Miku (Güiza 86). Red card: Abdel 61' (second yellow)

Sporting Gijón 2-0 Getafe: Winless run continues after whimpering defeat

1-0 De las Cuevas 32'
2-0 André Castro 40'

Hosts easily the better side as Asturians pull to within five points of Geta...
... Safety still not secured for the disappointing visitors...

On paper Getafe played Sunday's fixture in Gijón, but in fact the Azulones were nowhere to be found as Sporting pulled off what must rank among their easiest wins of the season at the Molinón.

From start to finish the Asturian side was firmly in control, with Getafe offering just one shot on goal over the course of the ninety minutes.

The rojiblancos dominated the early exchanges, and the only surprise was that it took then half an hour to take the lead. Miguel de las Cuevas did the honours with a placed strike from the edge of the area that left the impressive Jordi Codina helpless.

Ten minutes later André Castro drilled a shot of his own from the edge of the box, the Porto loanee's effort sailing past Codina to double his side's advantage.

Jaime Gavilán trudged off to be replaced by Javier Arizmendi as visiting coach Míchel looked to turn the tide, Dani Parejo also making way for Javier Casquero at the interval.

Yet Sporting once again came out stronger, and not until the hour mark did misrifing Adrián Colunga threaten to break his lean spell with a mis-hit strike after he led a fine counter-attack.

Arizmendi - eager to prove his worth after a season spent largely on the bench - then came close, but Sporting closed out the match in relative comfort, even after Alberto Lora's needless second yellow card for dissent.

Getafe will end the weekend seven points clear of the dropzone, yet the Madrid outfit urgently need to start picking up points if they're to meet their goal of avoiding relegation prior to the final matchdays.

Next Monday's home game against Athletic Bilbao may be their last chance to do so for a while, given that the following two encounters are against Barcelona and Valencia.

Sporting: Cuéllar; Lora, Botía, Iván Hernández; Canella; Rivera, Nacho Cases; De las Cuevas (José Ángel 82), André Castro (Mate Bilic 87), Diego Castro (Luis Morán 72); David Barral. Red Card: Lora 86' (second yellow card) Getafe: Codina; Víctor Sánchez, Rafa, Miguel Torres, Marcano; Manu del Moral, Boateng, Parejo (Casquero 46), Gavilán (Arizmendi 42); Colunga, Miku (Pedro Ríos 61.)

Jornada 8: Getafe 3-0 Sporting Gijón

1-0 Boateng 9'
2-0 Colunga (pen) 51'
3-0 Marcano 60'

A routine and well-deserved victory for Geta against a poor Sporting side unable to compete with the hosts' effectiveness in front of goal. The visitors managed to carve out just one chance worthy of the name - a near-open goal squandered by Gastón Sangoy - while Getafe could in fact have added more to their tally of three.

This result puts the Azulones seventh on 13 points, six above the relegation zone and seven short of top spot.

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).

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!

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!