La Liga: Getafe vs. Athletico de Madrid

Posted on | May 9, 2007 | No Comments

This game could well mark who plays in UEFA next season and who doesn’t. Athletico are currently holding the last place to qualify, but with Getafe just three points behind, anything can happen. Especially given Athletico’s terrible form at the moment. They have scored just four times in their last seven games, have gone three games without a win and are playing with such a lack of order and will to win that it is amazing to see them where they are in the table.
Getafe started the season well but fell off at Christmas. Since then though, they have steadily been making a comeback and have three wins and a draw in the last four games. This means that they have surprisingly been able to fight for a UEFA spot. Coach Bernard Schuster has been constantly linked with other managing jobs this season, principally Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. It is obvious to see that he loves the attention and he is passing his optimism on to the players.
For their part Athletico Madrid are having another one of those seasons that only Athletico can provide. They have some great players, -most notably Fernando Torres, Maxi Rodriguez and Sergio Agüero- but as a team they just can’t gel properly and this is reflecting in their results. Coach Aguirre has had some confrontations with members of his squad which never bodes well, and a couple of players have openly critised the club.
They do have two facts that they are clinging to, however. They have never lost a match at Getafe’s Coliseum stadium, and when they faced each other earlier on in the season, Athletico were able to grab all three points with a pretty boring one nil win.
I can’t see Athletico being able to put the ball in the back of the net in this game. Getafe have a very well organised defence, and Argentinean International goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri is in fine form. They have only conceded twenty-four goals all season, which is the best in the league and the secret to Getafe’s success.
I’m going for a home win in this match. Getafe are just too well organised and maybe a tad hungrier for European glory than a tired Athletico Madrid.
Prediction: Home win (1-0)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Athletico de Madrid vs. Barcelona
2. La Liga: Athletico Madrid vs. Valladolid
3. La Liga: Real Sociedad vs. Athletico Madrid
4. La Liga: Atlético – Getafe
5. La Liga: Athletico Madrid vs. Villarreal

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