Getafe host Brighton on Thursday in a demanding Conference League match, with little room for another setback in their bid to progress. José Bordalás’s team are still looking to regain the defensive solidity that has long been central to their style, while Brighton arrive after beating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Getafe’s five-goal defeat to Lugano at the Coliseum exposed weaknesses that have not disappeared despite the team’s comeback win over Sevilla last weekend. After 11 league games, Getafe have conceded 16 goals and kept two clean sheets. At the same stage last season, they had conceded three fewer and recorded one additional clean sheet.
The defence has struggled against balls played behind the back line and quick transitions. Lugano’s goals came from those situations, while Getafe also conceded from a long pass against Athletic Bilbao. Set pieces have been another vulnerability: Athletic scored three times from dead-ball situations in a 4-0 win, and Getafe also fell behind to two such goals against Lebrijana in the cup. Sevilla’s Kike Salas scored from a set piece as well.
The Lugano result also prompted a public exchange between Bordalás and club president Ángel Víctor Torres. The coach said he was angry about conceding five at home and argued that the squad was not equipped for a season involving a match every three days. Torres disputed Bordalás’s claim that promises had not been kept. Before the Athletic match, Bordalás said his comments were not directed at the president and described their relationship as excellent.
Brighton pose a particular challenge because their strengths align with Getafe’s recent weaknesses. They are third in the Premier League, behind Manchester City and Arsenal, and have scored a league-high 24 goals in nine matches. Their seven goals conceded are the second-lowest total in the competition, behind Arsenal’s five.
Under head coach Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton have shifted from the possession-focused approach associated with Roberto De Zerbi to a more direct, attacking style. They also lead the Premier League for goals from set pieces, with seven, only one of them a penalty. Getafe will need points in the Conference League while trying to contain an opponent whose pace, attacking numbers and set-piece threat could test the areas where Bordalás’s side have struggled most.
Sources: El País Deportes.