Amid contrasting fortunes, Athletic Club welcomes Getafe CF at San Mamés. This match follows Athletic’s recent triumph in the Champions League, while Getafe struggles with a five-match losing streak. Athletic, under coach Ernesto Valverde, aims to capitalize on their recent European success, having just secured their first win of the season against Qarabag.
Bordalás Faces ‘Coco’ Challenge
As the teams prepare to clash, Getafe’s coach José Bordalás faces a significant challenge. He seeks to break a winless streak against Valverde, having never defeated him in La Liga. Athletic, buoyed by their recent form, looks to leave behind the disappointment of their previous league match against Elche.
Team News and Lineup Changes
The landscape of this encounter is altered by injury woes for Getafe. Key players Davinchi, who recently underwent meniscus surgery, and Abdel Abqar are sidelined. Additionally, José Manuel ‘Nyom’ and Álex Sancris are unavailable due to suspensions. To bolster the squad, Bordalás has called upon Lucas Laso from the B team and striker Joselu, alongside regular Isma Bekhoucha.
- Athletic Club: No Iñaki Williams.
- Getafe CF: Missing players include:
- Davinchi (injured)
- Abdel Abqar (injured)
- José Manuel Nyom (suspended)
- Álex Sancris (suspended)
Match-up Focus: Guruzeta vs. Mayoral
One of the key matchups to watch is between Borja Guruzeta from Athletic and Getafe’s Borja Mayoral. Guruzeta has yet to score in La Liga this season but has netted three goals in the Champions League. In contrast, Mayoral returns to the starting lineup after scoring against Osasuna, representing Getafe’s primary attacking threat.
The stakes are high as Getafe searches for their first league victory since February 2020 in Bilbao. Over 400 fans are expected to cheer for them, adding an extra layer of motivation as they attempt to end their five-game winless streak. Predictions suggest that Athletic might secure a 2-0 victory, leveraging their confidence from the Champions League.
