Osasuna travelled to Getafe on Sunday looking to record their first league point of the new season.
The away side took the lead after 11 minutes courtesy of Roberto Torres, but a leveller from Miku ensured that the two teams were on terms at the interval.
Miku's second sent the home side ahead in the early stages of the second period, however, with that strike enough to secure all the 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 from La Liga comes from the Spanish capital as Getafe welcome fellow strugglers Osasuna. The home side have taken just one point from their first three matches of the league season, while Osasuna are currently bottom of the pile having failed to secure a single point thus far.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won one of the last five games with the other three ending in a draw. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 1-1 draw in December 2012, but Osasuna were 1-0 winners on their own patch towards the end of the previous campaign.
TEAMS:
GETAFE XI: Moya; Valera, Alexis, Lisandro, Escudero; Michel, Mosquera; Pedro Leon, Lafita, Castro; Miku
OSASUNA XI: Andres; Oier, Loties, Arribas, Damia; Punal, Silva; Cejudo, Torres, Armenteros; Oriol Riera
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Getafe XI this afternoon with Diego Castro and Pedro Leon both starting despite injury concerns, but Adrian Colunga and Roberto Lago are once more named among the substitutes. Osasuna, meanwhile, leave Marc Bertran on the bench, but Roberto Torres and Oriol Riera are among the starters.
In truth, Getafe would not have expected to get too much from their opening match of the season against Real Sociedad. Indeed that proved to be the case as they were beaten 2-0, but disappointment followed when they were held to a 2-2 draw by newly-promoted Almeria. Their second defeat followed as they were beaten 1-0 at Real Valladolid.
Getafe did not make too many noises in La Liga last season, finishing in 10th position in the table, some 11 points clear of the relegation zone. They have managed to keep the bulk of their squad together this summer, which has aided suggestions that they could enjoy a similar campaign. Although it has not been the start that they would have wanted.
After spending 12 years in the top flight of Spanish football, Osasuna came close to dropping out of La Liga following a poor campaign last season. The club did manage to secure their league status, eventually finishing in 16th position, but their struggles in the latter part of the season were there for all to see.
It has been a worrying start to the season for the away side with zero points gained from their three matches thus far. Even more worrying is the fact that two of those defeats have been at home to sides they would have been expected to beat. They opened the season with a 2-1 defeat to Granada, before going down away to Athletic Bilbao.
Last time out, they were utterly dominated by Villarreal, who put three past them on their own patch. They scored just 33 goals in their 38 league games last season, comfortably the worst record in the division. They were just able to keep their head above water with some tight defensive displays. They have not played second-tier football in Spain since 1999, but they face a long, hard slog this time around.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Following the completion of the pre-match handshakes and the exchanging of flags, we will be ready to the action underway. Just about time for my pre-match prediction - neither side has started the season with confidence, but I expect Getafe to pick up all three points, consigning Osasuna to a fourth straight defeat in the process.
Just a reminder of the main team news in Madrid. Diego Castro and Pedro Leon are both available for the home side, but Adrian Colunga starts on the bench. Osasuna, meanwhile, continue with Oriol Riera in attack. Right, the home side get the action underway on this warm early evening in the Spanish capital.
Far from a full house inside the stadium, which is disappointing, but there is a good atmosphere with temperatures reaching 29 degrees in Madrid. It's a bright start from the home side as Pedro Leon arrives inside the Osasuna box before attempting to life his effort into the top corner, but Fernandez manages to claw clear at the vital moment.
Again it's good work from Castro as the Getafe attacker bursts into the Osasuna box, but Silva is across to make the challenge. The resulting corner is whipped into the by Leon, but Damia heads clear. The respite does not last long, however, with the home side forcing the issue with another corner. The early indications are that it could be a difficult 90 minutes for Osasuna.
Half-chance for the home side once more as Lafita collects possession in a wide area before delivering a low cross into the box, but Oier is on hand to hook clear under pressure from Leon. Of course, Osasuna are under new management this afternoon with Javi Garcia replacing Jose Luis Mendilibar, who has sacked following the club's poor start to the season.
It would be no exaggeration to say that Osasuna have not been out of their own half thus far with the home side utterly dominating possession of the ball. However, the last couple of attacks have ended in disappointment with Miku twice caught offside in quick succession. I would be surprised if we did not see goals as this first period gathers pace.
Lafita is again involved for the home side as he evades two challenges before delivering a low cross to the near post, but Fernandez manages to push it behind for Getafe's third corner of the match inside 10 minutes. Leon's cross is met by the lead of Lopez, but his effort is straight into the arms of Fernandez, who has been the busier of the two goalkeepers thus far.
Getafe 0-1 Osasuna (Torres)
Osasuna take the lead against the run of play as Roberto Torres pounces on a loose ball inside the box before thumping a low effort into the bottom corner. Moya did manage to get a touch on the strike, but the power took it over the line. What a start for Garcia to his managerial tenure.
A sloppy period of passing from the home side presents an opportunity to Riera just inside the box, but the Osasuna striker is denied by a diving save from Moya, who has suddenly been called into action after spending the opening 10 minutes as a spectator. It is an old cliché, but goals change games there is no question about that.
The home side have the ball in the back of the net as Miku finishes from close range, but the goal is chalked off by the referee, who had blown for a free kick outside the box. Safe to say that the home team are not best pleased with that decision. The resulting free kick is taken by Leon, but Fernandez is down to make the save. Wonderfully open 16 minutes of football between these two struggling teams.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Getafe attempting to settle with possession inside the Osasuna half. The away side have a lead to protect, but you just the feeling that they will give Getate chances as the match develops. The opening 18 minutes has flown past in the Spanish capital.
The worst and the best of Leon is demonstrated in the space of 30 seconds as the Getafe midfielder loses possession with a poor free kick, before running all of 40 yards to make a fine challenge on Riera, who had looked favourite to move into the penalty area. The resulting free kick is met by the head of Oier, but his effort is straight into the arms of Moya in the Getafe goal.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges from both sides. However, Osasuna will not mind with their lead still intact. It is difficult to underestimate just what three points would do for their season, but defeat for Getafe would leave them bottom of the table.
Good spell for Osasuna in the last couple of moments with the away side enjoying possession deep inside the Getafe half. They look a different team from the early part of the season. Good work from Torres moments later presents a half-chance to Armenteros, but the Argentine cannot direct an effort on goal. Getafe are down the other end moments later, but Miku cannot convert from inside the box.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side to level proceedings as Valera meets a cross from Leon, but his header just drops wide of the post when he perhaps should have done better. The tempo has certainly risen in the last few moments with Getafe desperate to level before the interval.
Another half-chance for the home side as Valera arrives late inside the box, but once more his header is wide of the target. Plenty of attacking football from Getafe with Leon and Lafita both causing problems, but Osasuna remain in the lead with around 15 minutes of the first period to play. However, you just sense that a goal could be on its way.
Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about in the last few moments with their side spending much of their time defending their own penalty box. Meanwhile, you can sense the frustration among the home fans as Getafe continue to struggle to find a way through this stern Osasuna defence.
Silva becomes the first player to enter the book for a late challenge on Lafita. The free kick allows Leon the chance to put another cross into the box, but Loties is on hand to clear the danger. Castro has a half-chance moments later, but he thumps his effort into the side netting from a difficult angle.
Getafe continue to dominate the possession as we enter the final 10 minutes of the first period, but they are finding it difficult to move through this Osasuna defence, which has been nice and compact thus far. Punal becomes the second player to be booked moments later for a body-check on Escudero, but the free kick comes to nothing.
GOAL! Getafe 1-1 Osasuna (Miku)
Getafe have their equaliser in the latter stages of the first period as Miku rises unchallenged inside the penalty area before planting his header into the back of the net. On the balance of play, it is a deserved leveller for the home side, who have had all the possession thus far.
Well, there was a concern that both teams would cancel each other out here, but that has not been the case. It has been a match full of incident and excitement. It is all Getafe at the moment as they continue to whip low balls into the box. Osasuna could do with the half-time whistle in order to regroup there is no question about that.
Wave after wave of attacks from the home side with Castro and Leon both involved in wide areas. However, Osasuna have been saved by the offside flag with a couple of poor runs from Miku and Michel. As it stands, you would back Getafe to go on and secure all the points, but Osasuna have played their part in what has been a high-tempo opening 40 minutes of football in Madrid.
Rare sight of the ball for Riera as the Osasuna forward collects possession in a wide area before attempting to curl one towards the top corner, but Moya is comfortable in dealing with the danger. The away side have possession inside the home half once more moments later, but Cejudo loses control at the vital moment, allowing Lopez across to clear.
Another half-chance for Miku as the Getafe scorer threatens to pick Punal's pocket inside the Osasuna half, but the Spaniard just manages to poke it back to his goalkeeper. It appears that both sides will indeed enter the break level on terms, despite Cejudo threatening with an effort from distance for Osasuna.
POST! The home side come within an inch of taking the lead in the latter stages of the first period as Miku meets a Lafita cross, but his overhead effort smashes off the post. What a strike that would have been. Osasuna are really struggling at the moment.
HALF TIME: Getafe 1-1 Osasuna
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the scores level at 1-1. You could be forgiven for thinking that this clash between two struggling teams would be difficult to watch, but it has been an entertaining half of football. Torres put the away side ahead after 11 minutes, but a Miku header has left the scores level at the interval.
STATISTICS: Getafe have shaded the possession with 57%, while they have had nine attempts to Osasuna's four. In truth, the away side took the lead entirely against the run of play. but you have to be impressed with the Getafe response. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking talents on their bench in the shape of Alvaro Arroyo, Adrian Colunga and Pablo Sarabia. Meanwhile, Osasuna have the likes of Nunez, Manuel and Loe in reserve. Both managers certainly have the options to influence proceedings in the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. There have been no changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise based on what we have seen thus far. You just get the feeling that Osasuna need to score next if they are to take something from the match. The away side get the second 45 minutes underway.
Excuse me, there was indeed a change at the interval for the away side with Sisi replacing Cejudo. Just a reminder that both of these teams are looking for their first win of the season, while Osasuna are also looking for their first point. Can they repel the Getafe pressure? It could be a long half for the away side.
Bright start to the second period for the home side as Leon bursts down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Damia manages to clear at the vital moment. From the resulting corner, Michel rises highest in the box, but the referee spots a foul in the area. The home supporters have certainly raised their voices in the opening five minutes of the second period.
Getafe continue to force the issue with Lafita breaking past the Osasuna defence before having an effort on goal, but the offside flag had been raised. If the home side take more care with their runs, then they will have chances there is no doubt about that. Osasuna, meanwhile, are really struggling to keep hold of the ball, which was also case in the first period.
Slight handbags between Lisandro and Torres inside the centre circle, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. There have been a couple of yellow cards, but it has not been a particularly dirty match thus far. Leon again breaks into the Osasuna box moments later, but Lotia is across with the challenge. The pressure continues to rise with Getafe's seventh corner of the evening.
GOAL! Getafe 2-1 Osasuna (Miku)
The home side have their second of the match as Miku finds some space inside the box before coolly slotting into the bottom corner for his second of the evening. Not too sure about the celebration as he throws himself to the ground, but the home supporters have been rewarded.
In truth, the goal had been coming. Getafe have utterly dominated this match from the very first moment, but Osasuna are still in with a chance following Torres's strike after 11 minutes. Punal attempts to force the issue for the home side moments later with a deep pass towards the goalscorer, but Moya is out to claim.
Good spell for Osasuna, who have started to enjoy a period in possession, but they just cannot find the likes of Riera and Armenteros in the final third. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have one - will decide the match. Another goal for Getafe and it is surely curtains for the away side.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Osasuna to level the scores as Riera finds some space inside the box before attempting to thump an effort towards the bottom corner, but Moya is on hand to make the save. Riera again comes close from the resulting corner, but his header is flicked wide of the post. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Madrid.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Valera strikes an effort from a wide position, but it was always rising high and wide of the target. I would be surprised if Osasuna did not look to introduce another new face in the next five minutes or so. As it stands, Getafe are playing all the football. But as long as the score remains 2-1, Osasuna are still very much in this match.
Riera remains the main outlet for the away side as he once more finds some space in the Getafe half before attempting to bend an effort into the bottom corner, but Michel manages to make the challenge at the vital moment. Miku is down the other end moments later, but he loses control inside the box. Still 2-1 Getafe with 64 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with Osasuna enjoying their best spell with possession of the ball. However, they are struggling to create chances in the final third. Still plenty of time for Osasuna to alter proceedings, however, with little under 25 minutes of football remaining.
Arribas becomes the latest to enter the book for a late challenge on Lafita, who had moved past the Osasuna defender. The match has just become slightly scrappy in the last few minutes with the referee forced to deal with a number of late challenges. The resulting free kick is delivered by Leon, but Fernandez comes a long way to clear the danger.
Osasuna make their second change of the match as Punal is replaced by Omwu, who will provide some legs in advanced areas. Despite Getafe dominating this match, the result is not secure. A free kick from Silva threatens the home side moments later, but Moya manages to clear under pressure from Riera.
Omwu almost makes an immediate impact moments later as he meets a bouncing ball in the penalty area, but he can only strike his effort into a crowd of bodies. Not too much from the home side in the last couple of moments, meanwhile, with Lafita and Castro seeing less of the ball in wide positions.
Getafe make their first change of the match with Lafita making way for Pablo Sarabia, who had been left on the bench after suffering a knock in training. Half-chance for the home side moments later as Castro finds Sarabia inside the box, but the attacker loses possession at the vital moment.
Armenteros wants a penalty for Osasuna as the Argentine is challenged by Valera inside the box, but the referee is simply not interested. It would have been a harsh decision that is for certain. In truth, not a lot has happened in terms of chances in the last few minutes. As it stands, Osasuna are heading for their fourth consecutive defeat of the season.
Miku is perhaps lucky to remain on the pitch as the striker dives into a challenge with Arribas, but the referee does not even issue a yellow card. The home side make their second change of proceedings moments later as Adrian Colunga replaces Miku, whose two goals have left his side in the lead with 10 minutes remaining.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Getafe to score their third as Colunga advances into the Osasuna box, but somehow he places his effort wide of the post when it looked easier to score. That was the striker's first involvement having been introduced in place of Miku moments before.
Wonderful noise inside the stadium as we enter the final five minutes of normal time. You just get the feeling that there will be a couple of chances in the final few minutes. However, Osasuna look short of ideas each time they advance deep into the Getafe half. That has been the story of their season thus far.
CROSSBAR! Riera comes within a whisker of levelling the scores in the final couple of moments as the thumps a effort from outside the box, but it smashes off the crossbar. What a moment that could have been. Getafe are living dangerously there is no question about that.
Getafe make their third and final change of the match as Borja Fernandez replaces Mosquera, who has been impressive this evening. Another half-chance arrives for the away side moments later as Riera meets a deep cross from Silva, but Moya is on hand to make a fine save.
CHANCE! Oh my good grief how has he missed?! Sarabia puts it on a plate for Castro inside the Osasuna box, but somehow he can only place his effort wide of the post. Will they be made to pay? Osasuna are now in the ascendancy.
FULL TIME: Getafe 2-1 Osasuna
So there we have it. Getafe pick up their first three points of the season in a 2-1 win over Osasuna. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Malaga against Rayo Vallecano. Until then!
