Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Getafe CF (LaLiga MD29)

Ten fixtures left for Athletic to secure a European spot. There are 30 points up for grabs, 18 of which will be played for at San Mamés. The Lions’ home form will be crucial to their chances of attaining a coveted qualification place.

The first hurdle on the home straight comes this Friday night as Los Rojiblancos take on Getafe CF in Bilbao. Three points will be vital in closing the gap between Athletic and the teams above. From now until the season ends in May, the Lions have to approach every game as if it is their last.

Match Info
Getafe CF (Matchday 29)

San Mamés (Bilbao)

LaLiga Santander 2021/22

Friday March 18, 21:00 CET

How to Watch

A comprehensive list of LaLiga TV operators and global kick-off times to make sure you don’t miss the match.

Team News

Marcelino has named a 22-man squad for the clash at San Mamés. Right back Ander Capa is back in the fold after overcoming a hamstring issue. Iñigo Martínez and Dani García remain sidelined with a hamstring injury and a groin problem, respectively.

Marcelino’s Comments

Catch all the main quotes from the gaffer’s pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

Getafe were originally founded in 1946 before disappearing and re-emerging in 1983. Known as Los Azulones (The Deep Blues), Getafe first won promotion to LaLiga in the 2003/04 season and, with the exception of a one-year hiatus in 2016/17, have been ever present in the top flight since. The Madrid-based outfit have twice finished runners-up in the Copa and have also qualified for Europe twice, first in 2009/10 and most recently in 2018/19 after finishing fifth.

Getafe had a rocky start to the season, failing to win until their 12th match of the season. The appointment of Quique Sánchez Flores, now in his third spell at the club, saw an upturn in form with Los Azulones climbing out of the drop zone. They are currently 15th in the LaLiga table and are four points clear of relegation. However, they are without a win from their last five games.

LaLiga position: 15th

Form over last five LaLiga matches: LDDLD

Last LaLiga match: 0-0 draw against Valencia CF (H)

Previous Meetings
Athletic and Getafe have played a total of 33 LaLiga matches since their first encounter back in 2003/04. The balance slightly hangs in the Lions’ favour with 11 wins, 13 draws and nine defeats.

When it comes matches at San Mamés, Los Rojiblancos have eight wins, four draws and four defeats.

Athletic have had the more success from the sides’ last five meetings at The Cathedral. The Lions have managed two wins and three draws while Getafe’s only victory in recent years came in the 2019/20 campaign.

Last season, the Lions recorded one of their biggest wins in a while with a 5-1 victory against Getafe. Despite going a goal down within the first minute, Athletic went on to overpower the visitors with Raúl García (x2), Yeray, Alex Berenguer and Oscar de Marcos getting on the scoresheet.