Getafe welcomed Athletic Bilbao to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday needing the three points to continue pursuit of a European position.
Just the one goal arrived in the first period, with Borja Fernandez opening the scoring with a cool finish after seven minutes.
Bilbao pushed for the equaliser in the latter stages, but they could not make the breakthrough as the home side held on for a vital three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! The first of our three back-to-back live commentaries in La Liga comes from the Spanish capital as Getafe welcome Athletic Bilbao. The home side have been in good form in recent weeks, but Bilbao enter the match full of confidence following back-to-back victories over Osasuna and Valencia.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won one of the last five, with the other three ending in draws. As mentioned, Getafe were 2-1 winners at Bilbao earlier in the season, but three of the last four matches have ended in a draw. The last time Bilbao picked up all three points against Getafe was at San Mames in October 2010.
Getafe had a difficult spell at the beginning of the year, but have overcome that poor run to move into the European picture once more. A top-four finish is perhaps out of reach, but they are in the picture for a Europa League position. Should they win this afternoon then they would move level on points with seventh-placed Valencia.
Getafe’s home form has been fairly impressive this season with seven wins from 13 matches, while Bilbao’s away form has been inconsistent with just three wins from 13 games. The form book appears to point to a home win, but Bilbao have been much-improved in the last two weeks with back-to-back wins.
The Basque outfit were real contenders for relegation a few weeks ago, but six points from the last two games has moved them into 14th. They are not out of the relegation picture, but with an eight-point gap, it is difficult to see them dropping into trouble once more. It really is going to be a fascinating couple of months at both ends of the table.
TEAMS:
GETAFE: Moya; Lopo, Torres, Fernandez, Escudero; Borja, Leon, Castro, Torres; Barrada, Adrian
BILBAO: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Ekiza, Laporte; Susaeta, Iturraspe, Herrera; Aduriz, De Marcos, Ibai
So there we have it. Luis Garcia once more pairs Adrian Colunga and Barrada in attack, with Diego Castro operating from a deeper position. But there is no place for Paco Alcacer, who takes his place on the bench. Bilbao, meanwhile, once more leave Iker Muniain and Fernando Llorente on the bench, with Ibai Gomez and Oscar de Marcos providing support to Aritz Aduriz.
Taking a look at the statistics, it is not difficult to see why Bilbao have struggled this season. They have conceded 50 goals in their 27 matches thus far, with just Deportivo conceding more. Getafe have also struggled defensively, however, with 44 goals conceded. Both have fared better down the other end with Getafe scoring 37 goals to Bilbao’s 32.
Let me just take this moment to remind you what we have to come this evening in our La Liga coverage. Following the completion of this match we switch our focus to Madrid as Real Madrid welcome Real Mallorca. Then in arguably the clash of the weekend, Valencia welcome Real Betis to the Mestalla. Believe me, you will not want to miss it.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. Bilbao have been much-improved in recent weeks, but I think Getafe will have too much this afternoon. It is a narrow home win for me.
Just a reminder of the main team news this afternoon. Getafe boss Luis Garcia once more pairs Adrian Colunga in attack with Barrada, while Diego Castro is also selected in midfield. Bilbao once more leave out Muniain and Llorente, but Ander Herrera does start. Here we go then. The home side get the action underway at the Alfonso Perez.
Not a full house inside the stadium this afternoon, but there is a good atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in this type of match. There has already been a La Liga clash today with Real Sociedad beating Real Valladolid. That result has moved them into fourth position in the table. They really have been the surprise package this season.
Neither side has really taken control of the possession in the early stages with both guilty of sloppy passing in midfield. A half-chance does arrive for Getafe as Xavi Torres slips a pass towards Adrian, but San Jose is across to clear the danger, before Escudero's cross is cleared by Ekiza.
CROSSBAR! The home side come within a whisker of taking the lead as Escudero strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, but Iraizoz just manages to tip the strike onto the crossbar. It falls kindly to Barrada moments later, but he can only fire wide. High tempo start to this La Liga encounter.
Not too much to get excited about for the away side in the opening seven minutes of football with Ibai Gomez and De Marcos struggling for any sort of possession in the final third. You just get the feeling that Herrera - who returns from suspension for this match - has a key role to play for Bilbao. Really nice feel to the early stages of this match.
GOAL! Getafe 1-0 Bilbao (Borja)
The home side have the goal that their play has deserved with eight minutes on the clock. It's poor marking from Bilbao as Borja is allowed to ghost into the penalty area before thumping an Adrian corner into the back of the net. First blood to Getafe this afternoon.
Another half-chance for the home side as Adrian darts into the Bilbao box before firing a cross into the box, but San Jose is across to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is once more whipped into the box by Adrian, but this time the marking is better, with Ekiza on hand to clear. Bilbao are really struggling in the early stages of this match.
Decent possession for Bilbao in the last few moments with Susaeta and Herrera starting to put their foot on the ball. The latter attempts to force the issue with a searching pass towards Ibai, but the linesman raises his flag. Wonderful atmosphere at the moment with the home supporters making their voices known. Their team is in control with 12 minutes on the clock.
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CHANCE! Best chance of the match for the away side as Moya flaps at a cross, but Ibai's effort is blocked on the line by Lopo. The resulting set piece causes all sorts of problems, but this time Moya is able to collect. Enthralling start to this La Liga clash, but the score remains 1-0 to Getafe.
The end-to-end period of the match continues as Getafe force two corners in quick succession, but the first is palmed over the crossbar by Iraizoz before Borja heads the second over. Bilbao really are living dangerously at the moment as they continue to hand set pieces to Getafe. Not too much from the likes of Aduriz and De Marcos thus far.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as De Marcos finds Susaeta in the box, but Borja is across to make a wonderful challenge at the vital moment. Once more the Bilbao corner causes problems in the home side's penalty area, but the referee blows for a free kick. Neither team has looked too comfortable with the high ball thus far.
In fairness to Bilbao they have responded well since falling behind to the early goal, but they always look capable of conceding when Getafe attack with pace and numbers. I would be astounded if there were not more goals in this half let alone the match as a whole. No respite as Getafe launch another counter with Barrada showing Ekiza a clean pair of boots.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments for the first time in the match. Both sides continue to attack with pace and numbers, but the quality in the final third has just been lacking. Not too much football being played in the middle part of the pitch with both sides looking for the long pass on each occasion. It remains 1-0 to Getafe with 22 minutes on the clock.
Slight problem for Iraola here as the Bilbao defender clashes with Castro, but following a period of treatment he is deemed fit to continue. In fairness, it has not been that type of match with the referee a spectator for the most part. Another half-chance for the home side as Leon bursts into the Bilbao box, but San Jose is across to clear at the vital moment.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance. Wonderful opportunity for the away side to level the terms as Iturraspe finds Aduriz, but the Spaniard can only fire wide of the target without a defender in sight. Incredible chance to level proceedings. Bilbao are right in this match at the moment.
It is the Bilbao supporters that can he heard as the 30-minute mark in the match approaches. Slight stoppage in play as Lopo receives treatment and he is indeed removed from the pitch as Rafa comes onto replace the defender. Half-chance for the home side moments later, but Iraizoz comes out to deny Adrian from close range.
Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last few moments with the referee called into action to deal with a number of fouls. Subdued from the home side in the last five minutes or so with Bilbao taking control of the possession. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in this end-to-end clash at the Alfonso Perez.
Better from the home side in the last couple of minutes as Adrian combines with Barrada outside the box before striking towards goal, but it was always moving over the crossbar. The resulting goal kick from Iraizoz allows Aduriz to collect possession in a wide area, but his cross into the box was easily collected by Moya.
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Speculative effort from Leon as the Getafe midfielder spots Iraizoz off his line, but his strike is high and wide of the crossbar. Bilbao continue to enjoy most of the possession, but they are struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. A half-chance does arrive as Aduriz meets a bouncing ball in the box, but he can only fire high and wide of the crossbar.
The challenges continue to fly in from both sides as we approach the final stages of the first period, which has not helped the tempo of the match. Not too many clear chances to report in the last few minutes, with both defences wary of the threat in behind. It is a surprise to see Muniain on the bench for Bilbao, his pace and movement would have been ideal for this type of open match.
Iturraspe is the latest player to have his name taken for an elbow on Adrian, which will rule him out of Bilbao's next league match. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Castro, but Iraizoz just manages to hold on under pressure from Borja. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital.
Both goalkeepers continue to struggle with the high balls into the penalty area, with Moya the latest to flap at a cross from De Marcos. The Spaniard is a wonderful shot-stopper, but he never looks too convincing in the air. Decent possession from Bilbao in the last few moments, but no real chances for either side. The opening 42 minutes of this match has just flown by.
Another half-chance for the away side as Ibai meets a free kick from Herrera, but he can only turn his effort straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Bilbao's pressure since falling behind has been impressive, but you just get the feeling that they need to score during this spell of the match. Not much football remaining in this first period as Ibai once more fires wide from close range.
It's a naughty one from Aduriz as the Bilbao striker leaves a foot in on Miguel Torres, but the referee takes no action. The Spaniard has got away with one there. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Getafe 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Getafe leading courtesy of a Borja strike after seven minutes. Both sides have had chances to add to the scoring, nut just the one goal separates the teams at the interval.
STATISTICS: The away side have had more of the possession with 56%, but they have managed just five shots to Getafe's six. The home side were certainly the better team in the early stages, but Bilbao had chances to level in the latter stages. It is delicately poised ahead of the second period.
BENCH WATCH: Getafe have already been forced into one change, with Lopo being replaced by Rafa. But the home side still have attacking options on the bench in the shape of Alvaro and Paco Alcacer. Bilbao, meanwhile, have a host of forward options in the shape of Muniain and Llorente.
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As it stands, Getafe would move into eighth position in the table, just five points off the top four. Meanwhile, Bilbao would remain in 14th position. Just a reminder that following the completion of this match we stay in the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Real Mallorca.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is not too surprising at this stage of events. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive. The away side get the half underway.
Confident start from the away side as Herrera spots the run of Aduriz before finding the Spaniard with a searching pass, the striker cuts inside before striking towards goal, but it just flashed wide of the post. Bilbao have been the better side in this match, but the only statistic that matters sees them trailing 1-0.
Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment with the likes of Barrada and Adrian struggling to gain control of the ball. The duo do manage to combine moments later, but San Jose is across to make the challenge. Another half-chance follows moments later, but Leon's effort is blocked by Iraizoz.
Half-chance for the home side as San Jose fells Leon just outside the penalty area. The resulting set piece is whipped into the box by Torres, but once more Iraizoz comes through a crowd of players to clear the danger. Better from Getafe in the last couple of moments, but no real chances for either side in the early stages of the second period.
Heart in mouth moment for Borja as the Getafe defender deals with a cross from Ibai, but he comes close to turning into his own goal. Another half-chance arrives moments later as Iturraspe strikes an effort from outside the box, but it just flashes wide of the post. How on earth are Bilbao not level? Getafe are living on the edge at the moment.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Getafe to double their lead as Barrada darts into the penalty area before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but Aduriz gets down well to deny the attacker. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at the Alfonso Perez, with the home side still leading by the single goal.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with the referee called into action to deal with a number of free kicks. It has not been that type of match, but the challenges are starting to fly in. Still no movement on either bench, although I expect that to change in the next five minutes or so. Bilbao are well worth a point at this stage of the match.
Bilbao do indeed make their first change of the match as Muniain - who was a surprise non-starter - enters the field in place of Iturraspe, who was booked in the first period. The tempo has just dropped slightly in the last few minutes, but Getafe will not mind. Still a lot of football to be played between these two sides.
Half-chance for the away side as Herrera meets a cross from De Marcos, but he can only turn wide of the post from close range. Getafe launch an immediate counter down the other end, but it breaks with Adrian's pass too long for Barrada, before the latter fires an effort over the crossbar moments later.
Just a reminder that following the completion of this match we have action from Real Madrid against Real Mallorca, be sure to remain with us for that one. There has already been a La Liga clash earlier this afternoon with Real Sociedad overcoming Real Valladolid to move into fourth position in the table. Unfortunately, not too much to report in this one with just about 25 minutes of action remaining.
POST! Chance for the home side to extend their lead as Adrian meets a cross from Borja, but he can only thump his header against the crossbar. Meanwhile, Bilbao make their second change of the match as Llorente replaces Aduriz. Can the outgoing Spanish striker save his team here?
Half-chance for the away side this time as Muniain dances into the penalty area before firing a low cross towards Llorente, but Borja is back to make the clearance. The resulting corner is fired into the box by De Marcos, but once more the danger is cleared. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in this match.
Bilbao make their third and final change of the match as Susaeta is replaced by Toquero. Three strikers on the pitch for the away side. Can they force an equaliser in the final stages? As it stands, Getafe would move into eighth position and keep their European hopes alive. But you just get the feeling that there will be late drama here.
Half-chance for the home side to force another effort on goal as Leon is felled outside the box by San Jose. The resulting set piece is struck by Adrian, but his effort was always straight at the goalkeeper. Leon has a similar effort from distance moments later, but once more Iraizoz collects.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with Bilbao in control of the possession. Meanwhile, the tempo of the match continues to struggle as the challenges fly in from both sides. The home supporters continue to raise their voices, but you can sense the nervousness around the stadium.
Getafe make their second change of the match as Castro, who does appear to be carrying a knock, is replaced by Angel Lafita. Bilbao have made all three changes, but the away side have one change remaining if they should wish. Little over 10 minutes of the match remaining. Will we have late drama at the Alfonso Perez?
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Borja's clearance drops to the feet of Muniain inside the penalty area, but he can only clip his effort wide of the target from close range. De Marcos is involved moments later as he floats a cross towards Llorente, but the Spaniard's header is more high than towards goal.
Decent pressure from Getafe in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession, but the first is palmed over by Iraizoz before Torres heads over the crossbar. Bilbao move straight down the other end with Muniain, but once more the final pass eludes them. It just has not happened in the final third this evening.
Leon is again involved for Getafe as he strikes an effort from distance, but it was always rising over the crossbar. You just get the feeling that there is going to be a late goal in this match, but I couldn't say for who. As it stands, Getafe are moving into eighth position in the table. Little over five minutes of action remaining.
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The home side make their third and final change of the match as Barrada is replaced by Mehdi Lacen for the final three minutes plus added time. There has not been too many incidents in the second 45 minutes, which means just a couple of minutes of added time. This is a real missed opportunity for Bilbao.
Pressure from Bilbao in the last few moments as Muniain fires another cross into the box, but Rafa heads clear. The home side want a penalty down the other end as Adrian is tripped in the box, but the referee waves play on. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time.
Bilbao continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the penalty area, but it has just not quite happened in the final third. Getafe come close to their second down the other end as Adrian drives into the box, but he takes one touch too many and the danger is cleared. Little under one minute of football remaining.
FULL-TIME: Getafe 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
So there we have it. Getafe hold on to pick up a vital three points against Bilbao. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for action from Real Madrid against Real Mallorca. Until then!
