Getafe Vs Leganes

Getafe's pursuit of their first La Liga win of the 2024-25 season will continue on Sunday afternoon when they welcome newly-promoted Leganes to the Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. Both teams have had challenging starts to the new campaign, and this upcoming fixture provides a crucial opportunity for each side to secure much-needed points.

The hosts, Getafe, currently find themselves in a precarious position, sitting 18th in the table with just three points from their opening five matches. Meanwhile, Leganes, despite having recently returned to the top flight, are slightly better off, occupying 15th place with five points from their six matches. Both teams are looking to build momentum as they strive to climb the standings, but only one can emerge victorious from this important clash.

This article will provide an in-depth analysis of both teams’ current form, tactics, key players, and what to expect from this weekend’s fixture. We'll also take a closer look at their historical rivalry and the significance of this match as the season unfolds.

**Getafe’s Struggles in the Early Stage of the Season**

Getafe have been a staple of La Liga for the past eight seasons, consistently competing in Spain's top flight since their promotion in 2017. Their recent history has been marked by both impressive finishes and disappointing campaigns. Between 2018 and 2020, Getafe enjoyed an upward trajectory, finishing eighth, fifth, and eighth respectively. These results earned them a reputation as a tough, mid-table side that could challenge for European qualification.

However, in the last four seasons, the club’s fortunes have taken a downturn. Getafe finished 15th three times and 12th once during this period, narrowly avoiding relegation on multiple occasions. Heading into the 2024-25 campaign, there were hopes that José Bordalás, a manager who has previously enjoyed success with Getafe, could rejuvenate the side and guide them back to the top half of the table. Unfortunately for the Azulones, the start of the season has been anything but smooth.

After five matches, Getafe have accumulated just three points, leaving them languishing in 18th place, firmly in the relegation zone. Although the results have been disappointing, their performances suggest that all hope is not lost. Getafe began their campaign with a trio of hard-fought draws against Athletic Bilbao (0-0), Rayo Vallecano (1-1), and Real Sociedad (1-1). These were not easy fixtures by any means, as all three opponents have established themselves as competitive forces in La Liga.

The draw with Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés was particularly impressive, as Getafe demonstrated resilience and defensive solidity to keep a clean sheet against a side known for its attacking prowess. Their draw with Real Sociedad was another display of their ability to compete against high-quality opposition, securing a point against a team that qualified for the Champions League last season.

However, despite these promising displays, Getafe's inability to turn draws into wins has been costly. Following their three draws, they suffered back-to-back defeats against Sevilla (1-0) and Real Betis (2-1), matches in which their defensive frailties were exposed. The loss to Betis, in particular, was a painful one, as Getafe took the lead early in the game but were unable to maintain their advantage, eventually succumbing to a late winner.

Bordalás will know that his team needs to start turning solid performances into victories if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. Sunday's match against Leganes presents an ideal opportunity to do just that, especially with a tough away trip to Barcelona looming on the horizon.

**Leganes: Life Back in La Liga**

Leganes, on the other hand, are still adjusting to life back in La Liga after a four-year absence. The club secured promotion by winning the Segunda Division in 2023-24, a remarkable achievement for a team that has spent much of its history bouncing between Spain’s lower divisions. This is only their second stint in La Liga, with their first lasting from 2016 to 2020.

Their return to the top flight has been challenging, as expected, but not without its bright moments. Borja Jiménez, the manager who guided them to promotion, has remained at the helm, and he is determined to ensure Leganes are not merely a one-season wonder. His squad has shown glimpses of promise in their opening six matches, although consistency has been an issue.

Leganes kicked off their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a 1-1 draw against Osasuna. It was a solid start, as Osasuna have been a difficult side to beat in recent years. This result was followed by their first win of the season, a 2-1 triumph over Las Palmas, which briefly lifted spirits within the club. The victory against Las Palmas was a significant one, as it demonstrated Leganes' ability to compete with teams at their level.

Their third match saw them secure another point in a goalless draw against Real Valladolid, a game that highlighted their defensive discipline but also raised concerns about their lack of cutting-edge in attack. Since that draw, however, things have taken a downward turn for Leganes. They have lost their last three matches without scoring a single goal, suffering defeats to Mallorca (1-0), Real Betis (2-0), and Athletic Bilbao (3-0).

These recent losses have exposed some of the key issues facing Leganes this season. Their attack has struggled to find its rhythm, with only three goals scored in their first six matches. In contrast, they have conceded eight goals, a figure that suggests defensive improvement is also needed. Jiménez will be eager to halt this losing streak as soon as possible, and a match against a struggling Getafe side offers an opportunity to do so.

In terms of tactics, both Getafe and Leganes favor a pragmatic, defensive approach, which could make for a cagey encounter on Sunday. Getafe, under Bordalás, are known for their physical style of play, focusing on pressing opponents and maintaining a compact defensive structure. This approach has served them well in the past, particularly during their successful seasons, but it requires discipline and energy, attributes that have been lacking at times this season.

Key players for Getafe include striker Enes Ünal, who has been their primary attacking threat in recent seasons, and Mauro Arambarri, a combative midfielder who plays a vital role in breaking up opposition attacks. Defensively, Djene Dakonam remains a crucial figure, marshalling the backline and organizing the team's defensive efforts. However, the loss of defensive solidity in recent games will be a concern for Bordalás.

Leganes, meanwhile, are still searching for their identity in La Liga. Under Jiménez, they have tried to implement a balanced approach, focusing on defensive organization while looking to hit teams on the counter-attack. Their lack of goals has been a major issue, with players like Juan Muñoz and José Arnaiz struggling to find the back of the net. Muñoz, who was a key figure in their promotion campaign, will need to rediscover his scoring touch if Leganes are to avoid a relegation battle this season.

In midfield, Gaku Shibasaki brings experience and creativity to the side, while at the back, centre-backs Kenneth Omeruo and Jorge Sáenz have formed the core of their defense. However, Leganes’ inability to keep clean sheets in recent matches will be a concern, and Jiménez may consider tweaking his defensive setup to tighten things up at the back.

The rivalry between Getafe and Leganes is a relatively young one, as both clubs have spent much of their histories in Spain’s lower divisions. However, since the 2010s, when both clubs began to experience more success, their encounters have taken on added significance. Geographically, the two clubs are located close to each other in the Madrid metropolitan area, adding a local derby feel to their matches.

In their previous meetings, Getafe have typically had the upper hand, particularly during their recent stints in La Liga. However, Leganes have managed to pull off some memorable results against their local rivals, and they will be hoping to add another one to their list this weekend.

Sunday’s clash between Getafe and Leganes is a pivotal one for both sides as they look to kick-start their seasons. Getafe will be desperate to secure their first victory of the campaign, while Leganes are equally eager to end their losing streak and move further away from the relegation zone.

The match promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams placing a strong emphasis on defensive solidity. However, goals have been hard to come by for both sides this season, which means that a moment of individual brilliance or a defensive lapse could ultimately decide the outcome.

For Getafe, victory would provide a much-needed morale boost ahead of their daunting trip to Barcelona, while Leganes will view this as a chance to prove that they belong at this level and can compete with established La Liga sides.

Ultimately, this fixture could have significant implications for both teams' seasons, and the result may provide an early indication of whether either side will be battling relegation come the end of the campaign.