GETAFE'S band of brothers could be set for a historic end to their 2018/19 campaign, but there is no sign of coach Pepe Bordalas or his team losing sight of where they have come from.
Sunday’s thumping 3-0 win over Sevilla saw Getafe jump over the Andalusians into fourth spot in La Liga with just five games remaining, making clear that the suburban Madrid club really could be in the Champions League next year for the first time ever.
Set on their way by two VAR-awarded penalties for handball, Sunday’s scoreline did flatter Getafe a bit, but it was no fluke either. The deserved victory was based on the solid values which have paid off for Bordalas’ side this season – tough at the back, clever in midfield and taking their chances in attack.
Getafe are making history this season! @mata_jaime9 and @Jorge9Molina struck in #GetafeSevillaFC to fire them back into the top 4. pic.twitter.com/4IdqP1OzLJ
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) April 21, 2019
And as usual there was some adversity to come through, with injuries and suspensions leading to an unusual-looking starting XI including four centre-backs, and three centre-forwards.
“Today we were missing some players, but the team has shown again that they play for each other and never give up,” Bordalas said after Sunday’s game. “The secret is all the players are committed, and they all know what they must do in every moment. We always went for it, played bravely, despite what people might think. We have our limitations, but we have our strengths too. I am very lucky to have these players.”
The squad is also lucky to have their quietly spoken but steely manager, and a shared commitment to making the most of their abilities shines through everything they do together. Bordalas began coaching after injury cut short his semi-pro playing career at 28, then worked his way up the ladder overseeing more than 850 games with 14 different clubs. Before finally making the Primera Division by taking Getafe back up in 2017, then guiding them to eighth place last year.
Many of his current players have taken a similarly circuitous route to the top – especially 30 something strikers Jaime Mata and Jorge Molina, both having by far the best years of much travelled careers. A squad assembled by recently departed sporting director Nico Rodriguez also has a mix of clever international signings such as young Argentine midfielder Mauro Arambarri and Togo defender Djene. More glamorous arrivals Japan international Gaku Shibasaki and ex-Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini have played pretty limited roles.
16 – Getafe’s Jorge Molina has been involved in 16 goals in LaLiga this season (12 goals and four assists), his joint-best record in a single LaLiga season. Record. pic.twitter.com/mpzZAYKlZD
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 21, 2019
As alluded to by Bordalas on Sunday, Getafe have ruffled a few feathers along the way. They have a joint La Liga high of seven red cards so far in 2018/19, and sit sixth in the total bookings table with 92. Opposition coaches, especially Valencia’s Marcelino and Real Betis’ Quique Setien, have been loudly critical of supposed dark arts.
Such outside criticism has only pushed Getafe’s players and staff even closer together. And recent acclaim does not seem to have gone to their heads [apart from an uncharacteristically limp performance in losing 0-2 at neighbours Leganes in late March]. The relationship between the front two was shown on Sunday by both successfully converting penalties before Mata unselfishly assisted Molina to bring their shared La Liga tally for the season to 27.
Next at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez are a zombie-like Real Madrid on Thursday, with the timing excellent given how Zinedine Zidane's side just want the season to end. Getafe are already almost assured of equalling the club’s highest ever La Liga finish of sixth position, and the return of European football to the Coliseum. That brings back memories of the ‘EuroGeta‘ side of a decade ago, which beat Tottenham and Benfica in the 2007/08 UEFA Cup, before losing very unfortunately to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Asked on Sunday if he were “excited” about going for fourth and a possible first ever Champions League campaign, Bordalas was not keen to start hyping anything up.
“Bórdalas, I love you”.
And hardly surprising. pic.twitter.com/NKpyHvReUo— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) April 21, 2019
“I’m not excited by the idea of the Champions League, but by the attitude of this team,” he said. “Whatever happens now this season is fantastic. [Sevilla's] budget is four times or more bigger than ours, many other teams' too. We did not expect to be where we are, but now we must keep going, there is no other option. We must briefly enjoy this win and from tomorrow prepare for Real Madrid, another very difficult game.”
Bordalas caution in talking too far ahead was understandable. He himself was linked with the Sevilla job just last week, and longer term may yet follow former La Liga overachievers including Mauricio Pochettino and Javi Gracia to the Premier League. Most of the squad would probably stick around for European football next season, although richer clubs are surely already considering moves for Arambarri and Djene in particular.
That can all be left for now though. Bordalas and his players continue to keep their feet on the ground, as far as it will take them.
