Right-back Andrés García scored the winning goal for Getafe in their European debut this week. According to Deportivo Valenciano, the 23-year-old sealed a 2-1 victory against Partizan Belgrade in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff.
García's goal came in a match where the Madrid-based side showed solidity. Enes Ünal and Johan Mojica also found the net for Getafe, who now travel to Serbia with a narrow advantage. The return leg is scheduled for next Thursday at 21:00 local time at the Partizan Stadium.
Who is Andrés García?
Andrés García is a defender developed in the youth academy of Levante UD. He joined Getafe last season and has earned a starting spot. At 23 years old, this match marks his first experience scoring in a European competition. His current performance can be tracked in detail on our stats page.
His progress did not go unnoticed last summer. Valencia CF showed interest in signing him, but the operation did not materialize. García chose to continue at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, where he is now making his mark on the continental stage.
What does this result mean for Getafe?
The 2-1 victory places Getafe in a favourable, though not definitive, position for the second leg. A one-goal advantage in this competition is valuable, but the team knows the scenario in Belgrade will be demanding. The mentality for the return match must be a winning one from the first minute.
This European triumph comes at a good point in the season. The team is combining its Conference League participation with the fight to maintain a good position in LaLiga. The upcoming fixtures, which can be checked on our fixtures calendar, will be key to evaluating the squad's depth.
How is the team preparing for the return leg?
The manager is already working with the group with the Belgrade challenge in mind. The priority will be to maintain the defensive concentration they showed at home and seek effectiveness on the counter-attack. Players like García, who demonstrated accuracy, will be important in both phases of play.
Getafe's squad, available in our squad section, has several options to handle the fixture congestion. The experience of some players in high-pressure scenarios will be a major asset in managing the tie. The team will travel to Serbia with the clear objective of sealing their place in the next round.
Getafe's next commitment after the European match will be a league game the following Sunday, according to the official calendar.
