Getafe CF aim to break their scoring drought on Thursday when they host FC Lugano in their second UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match. The game at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, kicking off at 18:45 and broadcast on Onda Madrid, pits a side that has scored just five goals in nine league games against the unbeaten leaders of the Swiss Super League.

The club's priority is LaLiga, where they sit 15th with nine points, but manager José Bordalás also wants to make progress in Europe. "The priority is the league, but we want to go as far as possible in Europe," the coach said on the eve of the match. Goalkeeper David Soria echoed that sentiment. "Playing in Europe is always very exciting," he stated.

Getafe come into the match after a 1-1 home draw against Rayo Vallecano last Saturday, a result that leaves them 18 points behind leaders Barcelona. In their continental debut last week they also drew 1-1 against Universitatea Craiova, with an 81st-minute goal from Nemanja Gudelj salvaging a point. The offensive drought is a constant concern, with strikers Borja Mayoral, Enes Ünal and Martín Satriano struggling for form.

Selection headaches

The injury list complicates Bordalás's planning. Right-back Dani Carvajal is not registered for the continental competition. The injured Christantus Uche and Juanmi Rodríguez will miss the match, while Orel Mangala and Zaid Romero have physical problems and are doubts. The only good news is the return to training of Iván Azón after overcoming minor issues.

Discipline is another open front. Centre-back Djené will watch the game from the stands after being sent off against Rayo, adding to the five direct red cards the team has received this season. Bordalás has warned of the need to correct these expulsions. Getafe's probable lineup would feature Soria in goal; Andrés García, Djené, Valou and Davinchi or Mojica in defence; Mario Martín, Gudelj, Francho and Terrats in midfield; and Satriano alongside Mayoral or Ünal up front.

The visitor's strength

The opponent, however, arrives in brilliant form. FC Lugano lead the Swiss Super League with 28 points from a possible 30, scoring 31 goals and conceding just seven. In the Conference League they debuted with a 3-2 win over Red Star and in the Swiss Cup they thrashed Pully 0-4. Their attack is led by the experienced 35-year-old Kevin Behrens, with six goals in seven matches in this competition, and Daniel dos Santos, with eight goals in 18 official matches. Swiss international Renato Steffen and former West Ham striker Albian Ajeti complete a fearsome offensive unit. Their only major absentee is Claudio Cassano.

The Swiss manager could field Von Ballmoos; Karimov, Papadopoulos, Mai, Delcroix, Cimignani; Bislimi, Grgic; Dos Santos, Steffen and Ajeti. The referee for the match will be Turkey's Atilla Karaoglan.

With one eye also on their next league commitment, a visit to San Mamés to face Athletic Club on Sunday, Getafe need to find the effectiveness they lack. The club's last European campaign was in the 2019-20 season, interrupted by the pandemic, and now they seek to write a new chapter. Thursday's match is an opportunity to correct course before the international break.

More detail at telemadrid.es