Team Focus: Can Getafe Challenge for Europa League Places?

It’s quite easy for teams to go under the radar in Spain when you’re not called Barcelona or Real Madrid. However, even putting aside Spain’s two giants Getafe are a club rarely discussed.

They have quietly gone about their business and steadily climbed the table without any real appreciation. This time last season they were in 15th place with six less points than their current total, before finally ending up in 13th with 47 points. With eleven remaining games they are in an excellent position to surpass that total, and a European place is by no means an absurd suggestion.

Much of the success is down to Luis García Plaza; a down to earth, intelligent and industrious coach. Confronted with the notion his team are too good to go down, but not good enough to qualify for Europe, García brings a stability, structure and familiarity to the team that few others in Spain possess. The side is very much built in his character, and it has shown more of late with positive results against clubs battling in the lower regions on the table. With a four game unbeaten streak underway including three wins, confidence in their collective strength is flowing at the club.

So what are the keys to the team? Everyone at Getafe is key. This is a unit after all, and although they possess certain individuals of quality, the team ethic is the most redeeming feature. García is not a possession-obsessed coach; his team, with 45.2%, average more than only three teams in the league. The team soak up a lot of pressure up but concede few shots, relieving the defence assertively and breaking intelligently when in attacking transition. Set-pieces are heavily worked upon too, with 13 goals from this area only fewer than Valencia, and Real and Atletico Madrid.

The emergence of Miguel Ángel Moyá as a solid goalkeeper has been highly important, as he’s strong and determined whilst rarely making mistakes – thus far, he’s missed just one La Liga game this season. He provides the sort of security a functional defence can be built upon, making 98 saves equating to 1 every 24 minutes – with only one goalkeeper making more. His signing was valued at €2m, and aligned to the restrictions that Getafe operates within.

The likes of Juan Valera and Miguel Torres, both extremely competent full-backs who have improved their defensive game immeasurably in recent seasons, are regulars in the team and have cut out the individuals errors they used to make for their previous clubs. The loss of Daniel ‘Cata’ Díaz; a tough, dominant character in central defence, was expected to hurt the team, but together Alexis and Alberto Lopo have stepped in to fill the void.

In January the club made two intriguing signings, bringing in Federico Fernández from Napoli and Sergio Escudero from Schalke 04. Both, although having only played a handful of times, have made an impact. Escudero has already scored a fine free-kick, while Fernández has weighed in with a goal and assist, as well as some admirable work in defence.

When talking about efficiency and functionality few midfielders optimize it more than Xavi Torres. His fine performances at Levante earned him a move, and at Getafe he’s taken on a starring role in the midfield. He’s averaged an 80.2% pass accuracy, the most of all players to make more than 8 starts for the club this season.

The magic happens, however, in the attacking midfield trio ahead of him, who interchange positions and offer differing skill sets, allowing Getafe to manoeuvre with versatility in their approach play. Diego Castro drifts in from the left hand side showing fine technique and a creative mindset, bagging 7 goals this season to become top scorer at the club. His 3 assists, plus 1.5 key passes per game only partially show his influence, as a Getafe attacking move rarely doesn’t involve him.

Then there is Pedro León. A figure of fun when at Real Madrid, he returned to a club where the pressure is less demanding, and the surroundings are more familiar and adaptable. He’s managed 2 goals and 5 assists this season, and with 2.2 key passes per game he leads the way for his team in that statistic. He works with a directness, skill and purpose on the right hand side, with the ability to cut in or go outside like an old-school winger.

At this stage the talents of Abdel Barrada are unavoidable. The Moroccan’s name is on the lips of most scouts who venture into Spain, with his age, current ability and potential all appealing assets. He’s scored 3 goals and assisted 6, with a healthy proportion of those coming since his return from AFCON duty. In the six games they’ve played since then, they’ve won four with the only loss coming away at Barcelona.

Barrada has been positioned centrally for much of the campaign, taking him away from a wide berth where he can instead initiate play as a more direct attacking midfielder. It’s proven to be a superb decision, as he’s become more involved in the overall team play while also displaying his fine individual talents. He’s quick and well balanced, shown by his 1.3 dribbles per game, while all the time he is constantly improving his decision making, averaging 1.8 key passes per game up from the 1.5 of last season.

One of the most surprising discoveries has been the form of Adrián Colunga. A player who was set to leave the club during the summer after a loan spell with Sporting Gijón ended. With 6 goals and 6 assists he remains a driving force in the counter attacks that Getafe rely so heavily upon. His direct play is different to those who join him in attack, and combining his pace with skill he can rattle through most defences. Colunga by trade is someone who flies off the left wing, but García transformed him into an adept lone striker who is supported well by the aforementioned trio.

García has a plan for Getafe, and his team sticks to it. What might sound so simple is beyond the capability of many.