Pedro Leon is full of respect for Sunday opponents Atletico Madrid, warning his Getafe teammates today that they are not second in the table through luck.
Getafe travel across town for the weekend’s derby 12 points and eight places behind their high-flying neighbours.
However, Atleti head into the fixture off the back of consecutive defeats in the League and Europa League.
“When you come into a game having lost the previous one, you are always alert and always keen to make up for it with a win,” reflected Real Madrid-owned Leon of this.
“But it is also clear that when you have lost twice, the feelings are not good. But that does not mean that Atletico Madrid will play worse or better.
“They are a great team, they have been second for eight weeks and that has not been through luck. They are a very good side and will be difficult to play against.
“Certainly, when we play another Madrid side, for Getafe it is special. But we know how difficult it will be and if we are caught, it will be a tough game.”
Getafe’s last win at the Vicente Calderon came during the 2009-10 campaign. Leon played that day as the side secured a Europa League place.
“That I really enjoyed. It was the first qualification for us via the League. It was a very good season. Tomorrow will be different. They are good, so are we. If we do things right and we are competitive, we will have our chances.”
Los Azulones go into the fixture having matched two home defeats with two wins on the road.
“It is clear that we were winning at home at the beginning but we’ve lost the last two. We like to play more openly at home in front of our fans. We know there are few, but we try and encourage those who come.
“Now we are playing Atletico , who are second and it will be very difficult. We want to be more consistent, to be better every day.
“In Bilbao we had a good game. At home we played well but Betis scored more and were fair winners. We are trying to play better every day.
“Of the last five games we have won three and hopefully we will find a run of form that is a little more consistent.”
