Getafe CF - Athletic Club

Athletic Club lost to Getafe by 2-0, goals being the work of Soldado and Parejo, from a penalty. Once again at two-faced encounter, but this time not just in the game, but numerically speaking and everything that revolves around this. In the first half the match was balanced, with many comings and goings and goal-scoring opportunities for both teams. In the second half, on the other hand, following Gurpegi’s sending off just before the break, Athletic walked onto the field with joy and with the intention of at least winning one point, but Getafe were superior but there were a stack of circumstances that made it impossible for us to score. As if all of this was not enough, and the fact that the wise experts and journalists will surely know how to make the most out of each whistle blow, the presence of Undiano Mallenco in Athletic Club matches and the number of defeats and/or sendings off and various coincidences that go hand in hand and in Getafe there was no exception. Not a deciding factor when it comes to defeat, but a harmful one.

In the first half Getafe came out strong. Shortly afterwards a Manu header went astray. Nevertheless, despite the fact that our team soon repelled this dominion, in a quick counter-move Soldado’s shot at goal struck the crossbar in minute 7 of the game. The clash had converted into a 2-way duel. In one of these incursions, specifically in the 12th minute, Gurpegi committed his first foul and received his first yellow card. Already with the ball in play, a tremendous foul kick was taken by Pedro León and the just as worthy stretch by Iraizoz, who by the way and for those that love (negative) statistics, removed at a stroke the foul curse in general and concerning the left goal post, in particular.

In the other team, perhaps as the exception that confirms the rule, Parejo was given a yellow card, however as the match went on the criteria was fickle to say the least when it came to handing out bookings. Four minutes later Llorente made it to the area after having gotten away from several rivals, but his shot at goal with the left went high. The response and resurrection of Getafe came thanks to a corner with an Olympic vocation, which Iraizoz repelled, with the tip of his fingers, once more a corner kick. The Red-Whites reply was not a bad one. After an attempt by Gabilondo from a similar position, Susaeta, in the 32nd minute, hammered a foul, but this time it was Ustari who responded well.

Time went by and it seemed as though that nothing new was going to occur before the halftime break. However, on this day best forgotten, the same old story of “Gurpegi you’re a junkie” could be heard, twice and from different zones, with no reaction on behalf of the referee. More lively, and looking at the rules without stain, was Undiano in the 42nd minute in a play in which Athletic were playing well and were getting ready to attack, Soldado surprised Gurpegi from behind who, in an instinctive manner, held onto the rival’s jersey. Second yellow card and off to the showers.

The commencement, unfortunately, of another match. In the second half Orbaiz replaced Toquero. Athletic came onto the field with the intention of playing on the rival field despite the numerical inferiority, but just as in the first half Soldado was able to enjoy another great goal-scoring opportunity, a potent header in the 51st minute, which Iraizoz deflected to corner. Manu made it easy for the goalie in the 57th, just before being substituted by Albín and Gavilán did the same to Celestini. Soon afterwards Soldado, third time lucky, took advantage of a rebound and from up close fired at Iraizoz. 1-0 and things had just gotten tough for a team that historically speaking has trouble finding their place when playing with fewer players. Up until this moment Susaeta had been positioned behind Llorente with Javi Martínez and Gabilondo on Orbaiz’s flanks, but everything had changed with the goal. Ion Vélez made his debut this season by stepping in for Gabilondo in minute 64 of the game.

Getafe kept up the pressure and possession, even though Athletic used up all its ammunition in a move by Llorente without the final pass to the centre and in a move by Amorebieta who had taken a shot at goal with his head from corner in the 67th minute.

That’s when all hope had died, seeing that shortly afterwards Orbaiz allegedly trod on someone’s foot and this ended up a penalty kick. Castillo stepped away from the barrier with his hands in front of his face and the ball impacted on these. A doubt for those who are studious and erudite: if Castillo is booked for leaving the barrier, on field that seemed to be the original intention, it’s a yellow card and repetition of the foul. If we look at Athletic’s worst case scenario, i.e. penalty, perhaps it could even be considered that we were dealing with a player from the barrier and that he could have been given a red card. Anyway, Parejo scored the second goal and afterwards Getafe could have scored again with Gavilán or confirm Soldado as the most persistent, all this along with Iraizoz and his bad aim did the rest.

Llorente, with a blow to his iliac crest, was relieved of his duties in the 76th minute by
Koikili, what a calendar we have in store, and just as they say misfortunes never come alone, after a shot at goal by Ion Vélez from outside the area which was caught by Ustari, his Red-White colleague whose name is similar but end in “tz” ended up receiving a red card which will prevent him from playing on Wednesday at Teresa Rivero. In the end a day best forgotten, another notch to be added to the legend of the mentioned referee, surely against the will of both parties, and an appointment on Wednesday to change our way of thinking, because by Saturday, with the substitution of the rival coach, what a soap opera awaits!