Getafe CF - Athletic Club

Athletic Club lost to Getafe by 2-0 in the tenth match day round of the First Division League Competition. Casquero and Uche were the goal-scorers on behalf of the locals. Our team had two goals scored against them during the first half hour of the encounter and showed little or no ability when it came to reacting in order to bridge the gap on the scoreboard. The match belonged to the locals and they were able to win without making an extraordinary effort; however, Athletic did have a goal scoring opportunity in the second half but could not score at Alfonso Pérez. Once again hundreds of fans were there giving the team their unconditional support, even so this was not enough.

The match kicked off at night, a cold one to boot. Getafe wanted to carry the weight of the clash and did not have to wait long before scoring their first goal. Koikili tried to clear the ball, however, the ball was intercepted by Kepa, who was unable to take a shot at goal but was able to pass the ball behind to Casquero, who hammered the ball, which Iraizoz was unable to catch, home with his right from outside the goal area. The result being 1-0 on the scoreboard.

Athletic wanted to form a triangle, but couldn’t; they wanted to attack down the wings, but couldn’t get the last pass right; they wanted to combine, but lost possession of the ball all too quickly and it was difficult for them to reach the local goal area let alone look dangerous. A piece of information: the first shot at goal was taken by Susaeta in the 35th minute of the game. The novelty of the starting eleven line up was Zubiaurre, who debuted in his first official match on behalf of Athletic as well as being the first time he has played a match in its entirety. Another novelty was the field positioning of Iraola, who started in the centre-midfield position and then ended up covering the midfield area after having covered the right wing, just like last season when Mané was the captain of the ship.

Despite the goal it was obvious that being just one goal ahead in football is nothing and that there was still plenty of time to manoeuvre and to improve. Nevertheless, the situation took a turn for the worse in minute 29 of the game when a foul was committed two metres from the line which divides the pitch. The foul lead to Getafe scoring their second goal. It seemed as though a long pass towards the rival goal area would be taken. Nonetheless, the foul shot was short and coupled with the lack of coordination at the net the rivals were able to make a run towards our goal area and Uche along with another player created a two against one situation against Amorebieta. Uche fired away but the ball was repelled by Iraizoz, unfortunately the ball rebounded back to Uche, who didn’t miss the second time round.

Cartwheels and peace of mind for the locals, who kept on insisting as shown by Uche’s shot at goal in the 31st minute, which was deflected. As a result Caparrós sent Etxeberria to cover the right wing and Susaeta to the centre behind Aduriz without much success. After the halftime break Llorente and David López replaced Etxeberria and Gabilondo. Caparrós changed things down the middle by sending David López to cover the left and to team up with Iraola who was already covering the right. With Orbaiz and Susaeta in front and Llorente and Aduriz at the back. Unfortunately, the start to the second half was just like the first: Iraizoz was given a workout when Uche and Pablo Hernández took their shots at goal in the 48th and 54th minute.

The first Red-White opportunity came when David López took a shot at goal after a defender had sent the ball to corner. The match was even, if you can call it that when you are two goals behind and all. Then Licht had the next goal scoring opportunity but the ball was struck by Iraizoz’s finger and deflected to corner. Whilst our players were getting a load of cards, a low Llorente header was caught by Pato easily. Later, Pablo Hernandez’s line shot went astray and immediately afterwards Aduriz kicked the ball straight into the hands of the rival goalkeeper. Whilst all of this was happening Amorebieta got his second yellow card in the 72nd minute which could have easily been a red one.

An obligatory change in plans, Iraola in the centre position. In the midfield area Muñoz stepped in for Orbaiz. The Red-Whites kept trying, at least they never gave up, and were able to keep a more than satisfied Getafe away from their goal area and even David López was able to another take a shot at goal but his header has caught by Abondanzzieri, a consistent trend last night.

Neither good vibrations nor points. It’s apparent that things need to change if we are to beat Recreativo and avoid the onset of nervousness. At least we are not at the bottom of the League ladder and we hope to savour the taste of victory once again at San Mamés, but the other Athletic will have to step onto the field, of course.