At the Coliseum, where renovation work continues around a ground built for 16,500 spectators, Getafe and Málaga meet in LaLiga EA Sports’ seventh round with little margin left for patience. Both sides have scored only three times in six league matches, and the early-afternoon kick-off adds another demanding element to a fixture shaped by heat, fatigue and a need for points before the international break.
Key takeaways
- Getafe host Málaga at 14:00, with Javier Alberola named as referee.
- Each team has registered three goals across its opening six league games.
- José Bordalás’ side have taken five points from 18 and are winless in four matches.
- Málaga have lost their past five league visits to the Coliseum by a 1-0 scoreline.
- Santi Cazorla was the last Málaga player to score a league goal at Getafe, on 3 March 2012.
A hot afternoon and familiar Getafe terrain
Juanfran Funes expects the conditions to test both squads as much as the football. Málaga arrive having played on Thursday, as did Getafe, leaving only two full days for recovery before a match scheduled in the strongest part of the afternoon.
The Málaga coach described the heat as an obstacle for everyone and identified Getafe’s experience in such contests as a significant factor. He expects Bordalás’ team to vary the height of its pressing, close central areas effectively and look forward quickly when the opportunity appears.
For Funes, the contest may be settled in individual confrontations and loose-ball moments. He anticipates a high volume of challenges, with Getafe seeking to turn the game into a sequence of battles for first and second balls.
The venue has been especially unwelcoming to Málaga in recent league history. The Andalusians’ last five league trips to Getafe have all ended 1-0 to the home side. Their most recent league scorer at the Coliseum remains Cazorla, who struck in Málaga’s 3-1 victory there on 3 March 2012, more than 14 years ago.
Different routes, the same shortage of goals
The numbers underline the contrasting approaches. Málaga have completed 2,943 passes this season, well above Getafe’s 1,879, reflecting the visitors’ greater preference for possession and circulation. But that advantage has not translated into a decisive edge near goal.
Getafe have produced 50 attempts, including 12 on target, while Málaga have managed 43 shots and 10 on target. Both teams therefore enter the match with the same modest return of three goals, despite arriving through very different styles.
Bordalás believes his team’s recent performances deserved more, but has called for sharper finishing in the final third. “Playing well alone is not enough; we have to win,” was the central message from the Getafe coach, whose side have gone four league matches without victory.
He also urged the Coliseum crowd to play its part and rejected any idea that Málaga’s position at the bottom of the table makes the fixture straightforward. Bordalás noted that Málaga are newly promoted, but stressed that they are a historic club who earned their return to the top flight through last season’s work.
Teams for the Coliseum meeting
Getafe start with David Soria in goal; Andrés García, Djené, Gudelj, Zaid Romero and Mojica in defence; Orel Mangala and Francho in midfield; and Iván Azón, Martín Satriano and Enes Ünal leading the attack.
The Getafe substitutes are Jirí Letácek, Davinchi, Diego Ferrer, Ramón Terrats, Sebastián Boselli, Jean Valou, Alberto Risco, Saba Sazonov and Mohamed Hamdoune.
Málaga name Alfonso Herrero; Carlos Puga, Ángel Recio, Einar Galilea and Rafita; Izan Merino, Pablo Martínez and Dani Lorenzo; David Larrubia, Joaquín Muñoz and Chupe.
On Málaga’s bench are Carlos López, Juan Berrocal, Álex Pastor, José Salinas, Ramón Enríquez, Carlos Dotor, Rafa Rodríguez, Juan Cruz, Eneko Jauregui, Adrián Niño and Juani.
The match is available live on DAZN LaLiga 2 and LaLiga TV Bar.
