Getafe aim to end a five-match winless run when they host Malaga this Sunday at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. The Azulones, sitting 16th in La Liga with five points, urgently need a win against a direct rival who currently occupy 19th place.
Their last outing, a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis on Thursday, left a bitter taste. Abde Ezzalzouli scored the only goal of the game just before half-time. That result is part of a worrying sequence: in their last five fixtures, Getafe have managed two draws and three defeats.
Squad absences
An injury list complicates preparations for this clash. Centre-back Abdel Abqar, with a muscle injury, will not be available until the end of the month. At right-back, Kiko Femenía continues to recover from his hamstring issues. In midfield, the absence of Ramón Terrats, who scored in the draw against Deportivo, is felt. Up front, the long-term absences of Christantus Uche and Juanmi limit the manager's attacking options.
Given this situation, the core of the eleven that fell in Seville is likely to remain. David Soria will continue in goal, with a defensive line of Andrés García, Djené Dakonam, Z. Romero and Davinchi. In the centre, Nemanja Gudelj could again act as the shield in front of the defence, with Francho Serrano and Mario Martín providing balance. On the wings, Óscar Mangala and Matías Satriano will offer width, while Iván Azón, who provided the assist for Getafe's last goal, will lead the line.
Malaga also arrive in a delicate moment, after losing at home to Villarreal (1-3) last time out. Their usual 4-1-4-1 setup, with Alfonso Herrero in goal and creators like Juan Cruz or David Larrubia, will look to exploit any local disarray.
For the Azulones supporters, this match is a clear opportunity to change course before the league table becomes more complicated. A win would allow Getafe to pull away from the relegation spots and face the next phase of the season with more peace of mind. The match against Malaga is scheduled for Sunday, 20 September at 14:00 local time at the Coliseum.
