Getafe tactician Luis Garcia Plaza has described his team’s visit to Espanyol this coming Sunday as ‘a final.’
It had appeared to be the hosts who had a lot riding on this game, Los Periquitos boss Mauricio Pochettino looking on it as an opportunity for his men to repair their image.
However, despite his team sitting comfortably in mid-table, seven points ahead of bottom club Espanyol, Garcia Plaza is desperate to see his team prevail.
“I think Espanyol will come out very fired up and we know that in extreme situations people can produce their best,” the former Levante Coach told assembled members of the media.
“It’s a nice game to play, and one we hope to win. If it were reversed, and we were in bottom place and they were in mid-table, then we’d all be talking about a final. Espanyol will be seeking a balm but we have to make sure that instead they find a Getafe that does things right.
“I think after saving the game against Real Valladolid last week we now have to define whether we’re going to be mid-table, up or down. If we beat Espanyol we will advance positions but what matters to me is getting 19 points at this stage, with a Cup tie to come in December which will also define whether we have a season of excitement or suffering.”
