Competing on multiple fronts is typically a death-blow for small to mid-sized clubs. After qualifying for continental play, many of these clubs are forced to sell the top talent that produced the additional competition. Lacking the resources to acquire suitable squad depth and a run of injuries leads many of these clubs to the bottom of the league table.
Though many expected Getafe to succumb to the burden of domestic and European competition, this side has shown the mettle of a UEFA Champions League team. As we stroll into the middle of February, José “Pepe” Bordalás has his Getafe side preparing for the Europa League Round of 32 against Ajax while laying claim to third place in La Liga. A massive showdown against Barcelona at the Camp Nou awaits, but the small-pocketed Madrid side shows no signs of fading.
In this tactical analysis, we’ll dive into this hard-nosed Getafe side, providing a scout report as to how Bordalás’ side has overcome its limited resources to position itself for a first-ever Champions League qualification. Recent dominant performances against Valencia and Athletic Bilbao served notice to the league&this Getafe side has no plans of fading. When you play Getafe, come prepared for a fight.
Typical starting lineup
Bordalás is a 1-4-4-2 guy. His side has played that formation in every game this season. Though he has a few options to rotate the squad, which will be especially important when Getafe resume Europa League play, Bordalás has picked a rather consistent starting XI over the past four matches. David Soria is the man in goal, with Damián Suárez and Djené Dakonam featuring on the backline throughout the season. In recent weeks, Xabier Etxeita and Mathías Olivera have become regulars. Barcelona loanee Marc Cucurella routinely plays left-midfield with Mauro Arambarri and Nemanja Maksimovic in the middle of the pitch and Allan-Roméo Nyom seeing more time at right-midfield. Up top, 37-year-old Jorge Molina and 31-year-old Jaime Mata provide the goals, as does super-sub forward Ángel Rodríguez. Though Leandro Cabrera and Jason are not listed, they have started 18 and 11 games respectively, making them key pieces of the team’s rotation.
With this new lineup, Getafe has four wins in four games when playing a league opponent for the second time. In the first game against Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis, and Leganes, Getafe could only muster one win, two draws and a loss, good for just five points compared to the 12 points out of 12 in the return leg. In those four return legs, Getafe has recorded an 8.41 xG which produced nine goals. Meanwhile, Getafe has four clean sheets while holding opponents to a paltry 2.41 xG. That tally includes the demolition job at home against Valencia, holding the Champions League Round of 16 contestants to a staggeringly low .07 xG, including zero shots on goal. Bordalás seems to have found his ideal lineup and recent results have his side well-positioned to achieve club history.
