José Bordalás has underlined the significance of Getafe's upcoming home match against Málaga CF this Saturday. The Azulones boss stated the game is "really important" and that his team "needs to win" to turn around a difficult start to the season.
The Madrid-based side enters the seventh matchday of LaLiga in 16th place, with just five points from one win, two draws, and three defeats. Their most recent result was a 1-0 loss away to Real Betis on Tuesday, a match decided by Abde Ezzalzouli's first-half strike. This leaves Getafe only two points above the relegation zone, making the clash with bottom-placed Málaga a key fixture.
The manager's preview
Speaking at the stadium's press room, Bordalás did not hide the pressure. "We are playing for a great deal. It is a really important match," the coach declared. He acknowledged the opponent as a "historical club" that earned promotion on its own merits last season, but insisted that in this league "no team is easy" and the competition is "difficult for everyone."
The manager's analysis was self-critical regarding the team's attacking output. Bordalás pointed out a lack of width in play and the need to be "more aggressive and with more confidence". He explained this period of adaptation is partly due to the squad changes over the summer, with several new signings and departures still requiring time to fully gel.
Absences and doubts for Saturday
The injury list complicates planning. The club confirmed the long-term absences of Abdel Abqar, Christantus Uche, Juanmi, and Kiko Femenía. To those are added two significant last-minute doubts: Ramón Terrats, who is carrying a muscular issue, and Borja Mayoral, who missed the Betis match with knee inflammation and remains a concern. The potential absence of last season's top scorer Mayoral would be a major blow for an attack that has only scored three league goals in six games.
Bordalás also touched on the situation of goalkeeper David Soria, whose name is being mentioned for the next Spain squad. The coach said he "would like" to see the Azulones keeper get a call-up but respects "the selector's decision." Soria remains a key figure for a side that has conceded seven goals.
With the international break looming, securing a home win is seen as vital to boost squad morale ahead of the pause. Fans can check the full schedule and squad updates on our fixtures and squad pages.
The match against Málaga, scheduled for Saturday, September 20th, presents a golden opportunity to take three points against the league's bottom side and start climbing the standings. Getafe will aim to replicate the solid home display from their draw with Deportivo (1-1) and move on from the disappointment in Seville.
More detail at Sport.es
