Copa del Rey 2018/19: Getafe vs Valencia

High-flying Getafe managed to secure a 1-0 win over Valencia in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey quarter final. In our analysis we will look at the set-ups of both two sides, and how Getafe were able to join Sevilla and Real Madrid by taking a first-leg advantage into the return legs.

Valencia set-up

Both sides operated in 4-4-2 systems but applied them in slightly different fashions. Valencia’s 4-4-2 functioned as more of a 2-4-4 when they had possession of the ball as their wingers remained high and wide and the full-backs moved up the field into the midfield line. Dani Parejo and Daniel Wass held down the middle of the pitch for Valencia and were tasked with dictating the tempo of the play. Parejo in particular played direct passes into the channels for Gameiro and Santi Mina to chase after.

Gameiro and Mina were both given license to make runs in behind but also drop off into space to pick up the ball. When one of the two did drop in, Valencia’s wingers were asked to make runs into the space that was vacated by the centre-forwards.

Getafe set-up

As mentioned earlier Getafe also set-up in a 4-4-2. Unlike Valencia though, Getafe were slightly more reserved in their approach. This was perhaps understandable, given the undoubted quality that Valencia still possess despite a hot and cold first half of La Liga. Antunes was selected on the left wing for Getafe. This selection bore the attacking threat of Valencia’s right-hand side in mind, as Antunes is more known for playing left-back.

Getafe’s full-backs were much less cavalier than Valencia’s. They were more focused on holding their positions and crossing from deep rather than overlapping their winger and crossing from the byline. Getafe played in a much more direct style when they had the ball, as reflected in both the possession and passing accuracy statistics. As a result, both of Getafe’s forwards played very close to each other as they looked to work from knock-downs from each other.

Whereas both of Valencia’s wingers stayed high and wide, at times Getafe’s wingers were asked to drift into central areas. What this achieved for Getafe was they were able to gain a numerical advantage in the centre of the pitch to create 3v2 situations. This also allowed Getafe to get more numbers into the box and ultimately generate many more shots in good positions than Valencia were able to.