Getafe CF faces a pivotal week with its Conference League seeding confirmed and an official new signing for its squad. According to Marca, the Madrid-based side is in Pot 3 for the tournament's league phase, while ABC Deportes confirmed the arrival of midfielder Nemanja Gudelj.
José Bordalás's team approaches these new challenges from 13th place in La Liga, with three points from one win and one loss in their opening two matches. The team has scored one goal and conceded three, leaving them with a negative two-goal difference. Their next fixture is a home game against bottom-placed Celta Vigo on September 7th.
Which opponents could Getafe face in the Conference League?
Marca detailed the pot composition for the UEFA Conference League league phase draw this Thursday. Getafe, as the sole Spanish representative in this edition, has been placed in Pot 3. This means that in the league phase, where each team plays six different opponents, the Madrid side will avoid facing the other five clubs in its own pot at this stage.
Pots 1 and 2 contain some of the competition's heaviest hitters. These include Atalanta, Ajax, Braga, Brighton, and Monaco. The draw will determine the exact schedule for the six matches, three at home in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez and three away. The Conference League league phase is scheduled to start on October 15th, giving the team time to solidify their play.
What does Nemanja Gudelj bring to the midfield?
ABC Deportes made official the signing of Serbian midfielder Nemanja Gudelj by Getafe CF. The 34-year-old player arrives as a free agent after his contract with Sevilla FC expired on June 30th. Gudelj signed a deal linking him to the club for the current season, bringing vast experience in La Liga and European competitions.
The footballer said goodbye to Sevilla after seven seasons, during which he played 261 official matches, scored ten goals, and was a dressing room leader. His honours include two UEFA Europa League titles won with the Nervionenses. His addition aims to provide solidity and experience to an area of the pitch where Getafe has significant absences, such as Mario Martín, who is on the club's injury list alongside Christantus Uche, Juanmi, and Abdel Abqar.
How does the new signing fit into the current planning?
Gudelj's arrival comes at a time when Getafe needs points in the league to climb the table, as they sit six points behind leaders Real Madrid. His experience could be valuable both on and off the pitch, especially for a team seeking stability. The Serbian is known for his versatility, able to play as a defensive midfielder or as a centre-back.
His debut in the blue shirt could come soon, although the immediate schedule is demanding. After the match against Celta, the team faces a sequence of commitments you can check on the fixtures page. Gudelj's first match against his former team, Sevilla, is scheduled for the weekend of October 30th to November 1st at the Coliseum.
What is the team's status ahead of the upcoming challenges?
Bordalás's squad combines the novelty of the European draw, the excitement of an experienced reinforcement, and the need to improve domestic results. The Conference League league phase represents an opportunity for the club to consolidate its European project, but it requires a competitive and deep squad. The La Liga standings show there is room for improvement after the start of the season.
With Gudelj now part of the team's dynamics, the immediate focus returns to the league. The objective is to get points in the upcoming game against Celta Vigo and start closing the gap to the top places in the table. The combination of domestic and international commitments will test the rotation and strength of a squad aiming to be competitive on both fronts.
