Getafe (Madrid)/Valencia, January 17 (EFE) – This Sunday, Getafe, currently struggling after earning just one point from their last six matches, will face Valencia in what has become a crucial survival match in the La Liga relegation battle at the Coliseum.
Under the guidance of José Bordalás, Getafe has seen a significant downturn in form, dropping to just four points above the relegation zone, which Valencia currently occupies. The match is crucial as a win would provide Getafe with a seven-point buffer from the relegation spots, giving them some breathing room.
Bordalás has been focused on boosting his players’ morale following a heartbreaking last-minute defeat to Real Sociedad (1-2), which continued their troubling streak. The team’s struggles have been compounded by a thinning squad; as of Friday, only 20 out of the available 25 player slots were filled, largely due to injuries and absences.
Following the distressing loss, Bordalás expressed frustration over what he referred to as an unfair season, asserting, “I don’t wish this on anyone.” His comments prompted the club’s management to expedite the resolution of administrative issues with La Liga, allowing them to register new players. This week, Getafe welcomed three new arrivals: defender Sebastián Boselli from River Plate, striker Martín Satriano on loan from Lyon, and another central defender, Zaid Romero from Brugge. Although these new signings have had limited training time with the team, they could make the squad for this crucial match, alongside the returning players Djené and Duarte.
However, Getafe still has a number of players sidelined due to injuries, including Borja Mayoral and Abdel Abqar, which may force Bordalás to call up youth players to fill out the roster for this pivotal encounter.
Meanwhile, Valencia, sitting just below Getafe in the standings, is also desperate for points. They aim for their first away victory of the season, having not won on the road in over seven years. Although Valencia recently advanced to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, they come off a disappointing run in La Liga with a heavy defeat to Celta (4-1) followed by a late equalizer against Elche (1-1), which has frustrated their fanbase.
Coach Carlos Corberán has faced criticism from fans, with chants of “mercenaries” directed at players and calls for his resignation. Additionally, Valencia’s squad is dealing with fatigue after playing just two training sessions since their Copa match, with injuries affecting key players such as Mouctar Diakhaby and Julen Agirrezabala.
As both teams prepare for this essential clash, the stakes are high. A victory for either side could significantly shift the momentum in their favor, while defeat could deepen the crisis for the losing team.
The anticipated lineups for the match are:
Getafe: Soria; Juan Iglesias, Djené, Duarte or Boselli, Diego Rico; Kiko Femenía, Milla, Arambarri, Mario Martín; Liso and Satriano.
Valencia: Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Copete, Tárrega, Gayà; Luis Rioja, Pepelu, Ugrinic, Danjuma or Ramazani; Beltrán or Almeida and Sadiq.
The match will be held at the Coliseum, kicking off at 12:00, in a battle that promises intensity and a fierce fight for survival in Spain’s top division.