FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.04.2007 12:59

Getafe show good away form

Getafe preapre to take on FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey aiming to make history by reaching the final. Already this season Bernd Schuster's side have beaten Xerez, Valencia and Osasuna thanks to some strong away form.

The Madrid-based team's form on their travels this term in the competition has been impressive as they have won twice on the road and suffered only one defeat. In the fourth round they won 2-0 at Xerez, before beating Valencia 4-2 in Mestalla, where only Real Madrid and Racing have won in the league this season, in the last 16. The only place that they have tasted defeat was in the Reyno de Navarra when they went down 1-0 to Osasuna.

Different team

With 11 goals scored in the cup allied with a strong defensive record has made Getafe's form in the cup more impressive than their performances in the league, where they have only scored 28 goals in 30 matches, making them one of the lowest scoring sides in the top flight.

The team's top goalscorer is Andalucian forward Daniel Güiza, who has netted nine times in the league and three times in the Copa del Rey. Güiza has a strong character, is very fast and powerful in the area and is widely regarded as Getafe's main attacking threat.

Tactical plan

Schuster employs a 4-4-2 system, but tends to alternate his defensive and attacking tactics. The team's strengths lie in their strength as a unit and solidity at the back as well as the fact that they are well-disciplined and have the ability to cause a surprise with a quick counter-attack involving players such as Güiza, Nacho, Manu del Moral and Javier Casquero.

Up until now, Getafe have utilised their back-up keeper, Luís García, in the cup with Roberto Abbondanzieri, the current leader in the Zamora charts, being rested for each round. This change has not affected the form of the team's back-line, who have only conceded six goals in the competition. That record has been possible due mainly to the tracking back of the midfield and the pressure that the team place on the opposition when they are not in possession.