Getafe Club de Fútbol's European hopes are on the line this Thursday at the Partizan Stadium in Belgrade. Managed by José Bordalás, the Spanish side faces the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying playoffs needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg played on August 20.
The match details were first reported by El País Deportes. Kick-off is set for 21:00 on Thursday, August 27, and the game will be broadcast in Spain on Movistar+. Getafe's mission is straightforward: turn the tie around and secure a spot in the group stage of a continental competition.
How did Getafe end up in this position?
The first leg at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez was a rollercoaster. Turkish striker Enes Ünal put the hosts ahead in the 10th minute, raising hopes among the home fans. However, Partizan showed their threat and managed to equalise just before halftime. The second half turned against Getafe when Abqar received a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the team with ten men.
Capitalising on the numerical advantage, the Serbian side scored two goals in a span of just three minutes late in the game. Jeh found the net in the 52nd minute and Erik Kojzek in the 75th, completely flipping the scoreline. Enes Ünal pulled one back in the 68th, setting the 2-1 final score that leaves the tie wide open but with an advantage for the visitors. The club summarised their spirit in a social media post: "Llegar, marcar y ganar..." (Arrive, score, and win...), a philosophy they must apply on Serbian soil.
What context does Getafe take to Belgrade?
The Conference League match comes at a mixed moment in Getafe's season. In La Liga, the team sits in ninth place with 3 points from one win and one loss in their opening two games. Their goal difference in the domestic competition is -2, having scored once and conceded three times. In the table, they are three points behind leaders Barcelona.
This European tie is, therefore, an additional challenge to an already busy schedule. Immediately after the commitment in Belgrade, Getafe will travel to Pamplona to face Osasuna on August 31, an opponent currently seventh in the table. Fans can follow the team's full schedule on our fixtures page.
What are the keys to the second leg?
The absence of the suspended Abqar will be a determining factor in the defence José Bordalás fields. The manager will have to reorganise his back line to contain a Partizan side that proved lethal in decisive moments during the first leg. The experience and goal threat of Enes Ünal will be vital assets in the quest for a comeback.
The team needs to score at least twice to force extra time, or win by more than a one-goal margin to qualify directly. Playing in an arena like the Partizan Stadium, with a hostile atmosphere, will demand maximum concentration and mental strength from the first whistle. The Getafe squad, which you can view on our squad page, has the opportunity to write an important chapter in the club's recent history.
The tie is all or nothing. The reward is a place in the Conference League group stage, a scenario Getafe hasn't experienced in years. A positive result in Europe could also provide a key morale boost to better face the demanding league match against Osasuna. The evolution of the La Liga season can be followed in our standings section. On Thursday in Belgrade, Getafe is playing for much more than just a football match.
