Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Getafe CF (LaLiga MD27)

Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Getafe CF (LaLiga MD27)

Los Leones and Los Azulones meet at San Mamés with three key points at stake

LaLiga action returns to San Mames and Athletic Club have a golden opportunity to move up the table. The Lions welcome Getafe CF to Bilbao with three points on the line the could prove crucial in Athletic's fight for a European place.

Before facing Osasuna in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at The Cathedral, Ernesto Valverde's side are looking to climb up the LaLiga table and build on the good form they have shown in recent weeks.

Match Info
Athletic Club vs Getafe CF (Matchday 27)

San Mames (Bilbao)

LaLiga Santander 22/23

Saturday April 1, 16:15 CEST

How to Watch
When and where to watch Friday's match with our global TV guide

Team News
Valverde has named a 23-man squad for the clash

Ander Herrera, Iñigo Lekue and Jon Morcillo remain sidelined, while Unai Simón has recovered from injury and Adu Ares is called up from Bilbao Athletic.

Valverde's Comments
The boss stressed the importance of beating Getafe, not just for the impact it will have on the Lions' league position but also because it will put them in a good place psychologically ahead of Tuesday's Copa clash with CA Osasuna.

Catch up with everything the gaffer had to say ahead of the clash

The Opponents

Head coach: Quique Sánchez Flores

Now in his third spell at Getafe boss, the 58-year-old manager has been coaching at the top level for almost 20 years. As a player he turned out for Valencia, Real Madrid and Zaragoza while getting 15 international caps for Spain.

After cutting his his teeth as a coach at Real Madrid's academy, Quique took his first senior managerial post with Getafe in 2004. After that he worked at a number of clubs in different countries including: Valencia, Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Al-Alhi, Al.Ain, Watford (in two spells), Espanyol and Shanghai Shenhua.

His second stint with the Los Azulones was a one-month period in 2015, and he took the position for a third time in October 2019.

One to watch: Enes Ünal

The Turkey international striker is currently enjoying one of his most productive seasons, with 13 goals in 26 appearances so far in 22/23. What's more he has found the back of the net eight times in his last seven matches.

Enes started his career at local side Bursapor, before being snapped up by Man City. After moving to Manchester he spent time away on loan at Genk, NAC Breda and FC Twente. He joined Villarreal on a permanent deal in 2017, again being sent out on loan, to Levante and Valladolid.

Ünal signed for Getafe at the beginning of the 2020/21 campaign and has 33 goals in 91 LaLiga appearances since joining the side.

Recent form (LaLiga): WLWDW

Los Azulones struggled to find their feet after the World Cup, losing four matches in a row. But since breaking that duck in early February, they have proven to be a tough side to beat. From their last seven fixtures, Getafe have won three, drawn three and lost just once.

Previous Meetings
The first time Athletic Club and Getafe CF met was in the 2004/05 season. The Zurigorri's record against the Madrid-based outfit stands at 11 wins, 15 draws and 9 defeats.

 At San Mames, the numbers are in Athletic Club's favour, with eight wins, five draws and four losses.

The last five fixtures in Bilbao reflect the evenly-matched nature of these clashes. There have been three draws in addition to a win for each side.

Iñaki Williams and Raúl García were on the scoresheet as Athletic drew 2-2 with Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez earlier on this season.