Jose Bordalas has described his Getafe side’s position in the table as “not normal” and claims that they should be “fighting against relegation.”
Los Azulones are currently sitting third in La Liga having finished last season in fifth spot – missing out on the final Champions League spot to Valencia on the final day of the campaign.
Despite economic growth in recent seasons, Getafe’s budget is still modest in La Liga terms and is less than one tenth of that of Real Madrid and Barcelona – the two clubs above them in the standings.
Getafe have won their most recent four matches without conceding a goal – a run of games which has included notable victories against Real Betis, Athletic Club Bilbao and Valencia – three of La Liga’s biggest clubs.
Now they face a week of renewed challenges – they visit the Camp Nou to take on reining Spanish champions Barca this weekend before facing Ajax in the Europa League next week in what promises to be the tie of the round.
“We are a small team and we cannot sign like others can,” Bordalas told an interview with El Pais.
“In fact, there are players that we wanted to bring here, who had a contract in Leganés, and we couldn’t pay them what they wanted. And we are talking about Leganés!
“Or a player signed by Granada in the winter market, which is (Dimitri) Foulquier, who was with us last year and we couldn’t bring him again due to his salary being too high.
“People have become accustomed to seeing Getafe in the top half of the table for three seasons and it is not reality…we should be fighting against relegation!
“We are a modest club and that is the reality. You have to adapt the profile of players you have. It is as if Barcelona tries to play a direct football. It would be absurd. It would not work. That is why we play the way we do.
“I have always been a lover of good football. I wish we had the ability to have longer spells of possession and have more control of the ball. This would mean we would concede fewer chances.
“I always tell the players: what we did last season no longer gives us anything. If we work the same as then we will get less.”
