Getafe welcomed Espanyol to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday needing the three points to keep their Europa League chances alive.
The first period brought just the one goal with Verdu handing Espanyol the lead with a cool finish in the latter stages of the half.
Getafe's challenge diminished in the second period when they were reduced to nine men, with Christian Stuani wrapping up the points for the away side late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Thanks for joining me on your Sunday morning as Getafe welcome Espanyol in the first of four La Liga clashes this afternoon. The home side have a Europa League position on their minds in the latter stages of the season, while Espanyol are seemingly content with another season in the top flight.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Espanyol have enjoyed the best of it with three wins from the last five matches, losing just once in the process. However, as mentioned, that defeat came earlier on in the season when Getafe were 2-0 winners at the end of November. But much has changed at both clubs since then.
It has been a largely successful season for Getafe, but a poor run of form at the turn of the year has just seen them drop out of the race for the Champions League. They were also surprisingly beaten by Real Valladolid last weekend despite taking a 1-0 lead, but will be keen to return to form with three points this afternoon.
They have been quite strong on their own patch this season with eight wins from their 15 matches, losing just three times in the process. However, they have largely struggled on the road with eight defeats from their 16 matches. You suspect that their home form will determine whether they do indeed finish in a European place.
TEAMS:
GETAFE: Codina; Valera, Lopo, Mane, Fernandez; Borja, Leon, Castro, Lafita; Barrada, Alcacer
ESPANYOL: Alvarez; Colotto, Moreno, Capdevila, Forlin; Verdu, Sanchez, Wubarak, Lopez; Garcia, Stuani
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Getafe team this evening with Paco Alcacer once more leading the line. Pedro Leon and Diego Castro also continue in midfield, but Alvaro drops to the bench. Espanyol, meanwhile, are still without Samuele Longo, but Sergio Garcia and Christian Stuani both start in attack.
It has been some turnaround for Espanyol, who were bottom of the table in December. Mexican Javier Aguirre has certainly installed new-found belief in his side, with a stunning run of form moving them into 12th position in the table. While it isn’t mathematically impossible for them to be relegated, it would take an extraordinary turn of events for that to be the case.
They have been fairly solid on their travels this season with four wins from their 15 matches, losing seven times in the process. Meanwhile, they have lost just four times on their own patch this season, scoring 24 goals in their 16 home fixtures. In many ways, the team is free to express itself in the remaining weeks of the season.
Taking a look at the numbers for a moment, Getafe have conceded 46 goals in their 31 matches to date, while Espanyol have conceded four less. Down the other end, Getafe have managed just 39 goals, while Espanyol have scored 40. Those statistics point to a tight afternoon of football.
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 prediction. Getafe have not been in the best of form in recent weeks, but Espanyol are unbeaten in their last four. I am going to sit on the fence and predict a score draw between these two sides.
Just a quick reminder of the main team news. Alcacer and Barrada lead the line for the home side, while Leon, Castro, Lafita and Borja make up the midfield. Espanyol, meanwhile, leave Simao and Martin Petrov on the bench, but Mubarak Wakaso does start. Right, the home side get the action underway.
Not a full house in the stadium this afternoon, but there is certainly a good atmosphere. Bright start from the home side as Diego Castro drives down the left before finding a cross into the box, but Colotto is on hand to make the clearance. Mane delivers another cross moments later, but it moves straight out of play for a goal kick.
Victor Sanchez picks up a booking in the early stages for a high challenge on Barrada. That has set the tempo for this match. Perfect weather on the outskirts of Madrid, while the pitch is also in fabulous condition at this stage of the season. Bright opening four minutes to the match, but no chances for either side thus far.
Again it's bright work from Getafe as Lafita meets a cross from Barrada, but his header was always moving wide of the post. Espanyol attempt to break down the other end, but Stuani cannot evade the challenge of Mane. Meanwhile, the referee is forced to deal with a number of late tackles from both sides.
Barrada becomes the second player to enter the referee's book for a late challenge on Victor Sanchez, while Colotto is also booked for dissent. Three bookings inside the opening eight minutes of this match. Stop-stop last couple of moments to the match with the referee forced into action. No real chances for either side in the opening eight minutes of football.
You just get the feeling that the first goal could be all-important in this type of match. Both sides are still within a chance of securing Europa League football, but this is a match that neither can really afford to lose. It is the away supporters making most of the noise in the early stages.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of minutes with Wakaso finding the head of Stuani from a corner, but the powerful striker can only fire his effort wide of the target. Getafe are on the attack down the other end moments later, but Pedro Leon's pass towards Barrada is just too long for the forward.
Again it's bright work from Stuani as the Espanyol forward evades the offside trap before firing a low cross into the box, but the danger is cleared by Borja. The resulting corner is delivered by Verdu, but Capdevila's effort was blocked by Codina. Just a few signs that the away side are starting to get to grips with the tempo.
Barrada remains a threat for the home side with his pace and direct running, but his final pass has just been wayward thus far. Eventually Leon does whip a dangerous cross into the box, but Alvarez comes through a host of bodies to claim the danger. Still no real chances for either side, but it has been a bright opening to proceedings.
Plenty of incisive passing from the home side in and around the Espanyol box, but that final ball has just eluded them thus far. A poor touch from Castro allows Lopez the chance to launch a counter attack, but he just cannot find the run of Sergio Garcia. Neither side is really in control of the possession with 18 minutes on the clock.
The home side continue to force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but the first is palmed over by Alvarez before the referee blows for a foul on Moreno. Unfortunately, the match has become extremely scrappy in the last few moments with the ball spending more time in the air than on the deck. We still await the first meaningful attempt on goal.
Getafe continue to force the issue as Lafita combines with Castro before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but once more Moreno is on hand to make the clearance. Sergio Garcia battles for possession down the other end, but he is surrounded by two defenders. Meanwhile, Borja is booked for a late challenge on Javi Lopez.
Leon attempts to go alone as he collects possession just inside the Espanyol half before advancing to the edge of the box, but he is quelled by a mixture of Moreno and Forlin. Plenty of excitement as both sides continue to commit numbers to each attack, but the quality of the final pass has been distinctly lacking thus far.
Getafe's main threat continues to arrive from high balls into the box, the latest from Barrada finds the head of Lafita, but the Spaniard could only turn his effort wide of the post. Stuani continues to be a willing runner down the other end, but the powerful forward is feeding off scraps. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for Alcacer as the Getafe striker collects a pass from Mane before advancing into the box, but the Spaniard cannot evade the challenge of Forlin. Wakaso delivers a dangerous cross towards Garcia down the other end moments later, but once more Lopo clears the danger. Two well-matched teams on display this afternoon.
Decent pressure from the away side in the last couple of minutes as they gain a succession of free kicks around the Getafe box, but the home defence remains strong. You just get the feeling that the opening goal - if there indeed is one - will come from a mistake rather than a piece of brilliance. Snap-shot from Alcacer moments later, but his effort was straight at Alvarez.
The referee has just become centre of attention, through no fault of his own, as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. There has been a couple of decent moments in the opening 34 minutes, but neither team has done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of the match. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Nervy moment for Alvarez as the Espanyol goalkeeper slips when coming for a clearance, but the Argentine just does enough to deny Alcacer at the vital moment. The away side have a corner down the other end moments later, but Verdu's delivery is straight into the arms of Codina.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of sloppy passing in the middle of the pitch. It has certainly been a competitive opening 38 minutes at the Alfonso Perez, but it has been lacking clear chances. Espanyol want a penalty as Lopo challenges Garcia, but the referee awards the home side a free kick.
GOAL! Getafe 0-1 Espanyol (Verdu)
First blood to Espanyol! It's really bright football from the home side as Verdu combines with Stuani before thumping an effort into the back of the net. The away side had just started to dominate proceedings in the last couple of minutes.
Good response from the home side as Alcacer finds Castro before spinning behind the Espanyol defence, but the ball was too long for the Spanish striker. A free kick arrives in a wide position moments later, with Lopo heading in from close range, but the defender was in an offside position.
Again Wakaso is a threat down the left as he collects possession before rounding two defenders, but his cross is just too powerful for Stuani, who could not make proper contact. Getafe attempt to break down the other end with Castro, but once more his final pass is short of the required quality.
Not too much to report in the latter stages of the first period with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will pay an additional one minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Getafe 0-1 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Espanyol leading 1-0 courtesy of a strike from Verdu after 37 minutes. In truth, it has been a fairly low-key affair thus far, with neither side offering too much in the final third. However, Espanyol have certainly played the better football.
STATISTICS: The home side have shaded the possession with 57%, but they have managed just two attempts to Espanyol's three. The fact that both teams have registered just one attempt on target tells you everything that you need to know about the first period. However, there is still a lot of football to be played.
BENCH WATCH: Getafe have a host of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Alvaro, Pablo Sarabia and Xavi Torres. Meanwhile, Espanyol have the likes of Baena, Martin Petrov and Simao in reserve. I suspect that the substitutes could have a decisive role to play in this match.
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 perhaps not too surprising at this stage of the match. As it stands, Espanyol would move into 10th position in the table. Right, the away side get the half underway.
Slightly scrappy start to the second period with the referee forced into a number of decisions. In fairness, it has not been that type of match, but the card count is certainly rising. Let's hope that we can keep all 22 players on the pitch. Fairly low-keys start to the half in terms of attacking chances.
It's good work from Verdu as the Espanyol midfielder collects possession just outside the box before feeding Garcia, but the striker just cannot evade the challenge of Lopo. Getafe attack down the other end with Barrada moments later, but once more the final cross is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Getafe continue to force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but the first is palmed over by Alvarez before Leon heads the second over the crossbar. Just a reminder that there were no changes from either manager at the interval, but I suspect that will not be the case over the next 15 minutes or so.
RED CARD! Getafe are reduced to 10 men as Borja is given his marching orders for a handball. It is so soft as the Spaniard loses his footing before grabbing hold of the ball. In fairness, it had been coming with the card count rising. That has left the home side with an uphill task this afternoon.
Garcia wants a penalty moments later as he drives into the Getafe box before hitting the deck, but the referee books the Spaniard for simulation. Meanwhile, the home side make a double change as Alcacer and Lafita are replaced by Vasquez and Torres. Little under 35 minutes of football remaining at the Alfonso Perez.
You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this afternoon with the number of attacking players on the pitch. It's good work from Leon as the Getafe midfielder evades two challenges before driving a cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Barrada. The home side really need their supporters to stay with them here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but the home side have taken control of the possession. It cannot be underestimated just what Javier Aguirre has achieved with Espanyol. At the beginning of December they were bottom of the table, but they now have European football on their minds. Just incredible from the Mexican.
Getafe continue to look for the ball behind the Espanyol defence, but the offside flag continues to quell their progress. Eventually a long pass from Castro does find the run of Barrada, but Alvarez is out to clear the danger. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining at the Alfonso Perez.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Espanyol to add their second as Lopo is short with a header towards his goalkeeper, but Garcia just cannot get enough on his effort. What a chance to open up a two-goal lead. Getafe break down the other end with Leon, but once more the final pass is wayward.
Half-chance for the home side as Castro wins a free kick outside the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Leon, but his effort is wide of the post. That just about sums up their attacking threat in this match. Still no changes for the away side, although they have a host of substitutes warming up.
Garcia again causes concern in the Getafe box as he takes control of a bouncing ball before firing a cross towards Stuani, but the Argentine could only head wide of the target. In fairness to the home supporters they are staying with their side. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
Getafe make their third and final change of the match as Pablo Sarabia replaces Castro. Meanwhile, Espanyol are forced into a change of goalkeeper as Franciso Casilla replaces Alvarez. There is just no real tempo to proceedings at the moment as the challenges continue to fly in. Not that Espanyol mind with their one-goal lead still in tact.
The home side want a penalty as Barrada hits the deck inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Not too much from the away side as an attacking threat, but they are always a threat on the counter with the pace and movement of Garcia. What a huge victory it would be for Espanyol if they can hold on.
RED CARD! Getafe are reduced to nine men as Fede Fernandez is handed his second yellow card for a late challenge on Garcia. What on earth must Luis Garcia be thinking? Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and Getafe must play with nine men.
GOAL! Getafe 0-2 Espanyol (Stuani)
The away side have their second of the match as Colotto cushions a header towards Stuani, who has the simple task of tapping home from close range. That is game, set and match. Will Getafe finish with nine men? Another red could arrive as the frustration grows.
Wakaso becomes the latest player to enter the book for a late challenge on Valera, but there was not a great deal in it. There is no question that the referee has been very card-happy this afternoon. Can Getafe get back in the match in the final 15 minutes?
Espanyol have the ball in the back of the net once more as Wakaso finishes from close range, but the flag is raised. That proves to be his last piece of action as Simao enters the field in place of the speedy winger. Just a reminder that this win would move Espanyol into 10th position in the table.
Half-chance for the away side to add their third as Victor Sanchez bursts into the box before striking an effort from close range, but Codina is on hand to make a smart save. Espanyol will be keen to give their goal difference a boost in the final 10 minutes or so.
The pressure continues as Garcia combines with Stuani before driving into the box, but Lopo is on hand to make the clearance. The resulting corner is delivered by Simao, but Codina comes through a host of bodies to claim the danger. Simply all one-way traffic in the remaining stages of this match.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes with Espanyol comfortable in possession of the ball. Despite the fact that Getafe have nine men, it has been another impressive display from Aguirre's team. Why is the Mexican not mentioned when the big jobs become available?! In my opinion, he should be in the mix.
Espanyol make their third and final change of the match as Stuani is replaced by Alfonso. Another half-chance for the away side moments later as Verdu evades two challenges before driving to the edge of the box, but Lopo is across to make a fine tackle at the vital moment.
In fairness to Getafe they have settled since conceding the second goal, but they have been unable to offer a threat going forward. Garcia has another half-chance as he combines with Verdu on the edge of the box, but Codina makes the save. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time and we are indeed into the first of those.
Espanyol continue to go in search of their third with two corners in quick succession, but the first is cleared by Valera before Codina comes through a host of bodies to claim the second. Little over one minute of stoppage time remaining at the Alfonso Perez.
FULL-TIME: Getafe 0-2 Espanyol
So there we have it. Espanyol score a goal in either half to record a 2-0 win over nine-man Getafe. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more La Liga football from 3.30pm. Good afternoon!
