FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.05.2007 11:00

Getafe, a team with ambition

www.fcbarcelona.cat

FC Barcelona play host tonight to Getafe, who are currently in eighth position in the league table. Getafe have an inconsistent away record but have recently been on a good run of form away from their Coliseo Alfonso Pérez stadium.

Getafe are eighth with 52 points from 35 matches. They’ve won 14, drawn 10 and lost 11, scoring 38 goals and conceding 29 – giving them the best defensive record in La Liga. In the last month, they’ve chalked up three good results away from home and reversed the negative trend of their previous away form. However, Getafe have been consistently strong at home, where they’ve only lost twice, and this has catapulted them to the upper reaches of the table. Right now, with another season in the top flight guaranteed and a UEFA Cup place a realistic possibility, the Madrid-based side are looking to end the season on a high note.

Historic success

Getafe are enjoying the greatest success in the club’s history. They know they’ll be back in the first division again next season and will play in their first ever Cup final on June 23rd. Win or lose, as long as Cup final opponents Sevilla finish in the top four, Getafe are guaranteed a place in next season’s UEFA Cup.

System

Getafe play a 4-4-2 system with a number of tactical variations both in defence and in attack. Their main strengths are their defensive solidity, tactical discipline and their ability to surprise teams on the break.
Their goalkeeper is reliable, the defence is solid, the midfield is strong and hardworking and their strikers are lethal on the counterattack. Keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri has been one of the revelations of the season. The Argentine made his debut with Getafe only this season but is already a firm candidate for the “Zamora” trophy awarded to the goalkeeper who concedes the fewest goals.

Güiza out injured

However, manager Bernd Schuster will be missing one vital piece of the jig-saw. The team’s top scorer, Dani Güiza (11 goals), is out injured and is likely to be replaced by either Pachón or Maris Verpakovskis.