Both teams are seeking to find their best form as they look to end a series of disappointing results.
This Monday, Celta and Getafe will measure their urgency at Balaídos, as both clubs struggle with inconsistency and desperately need a win to get their league campaign back on track. The match is overshadowed by the tragedy caused by the DANA in the Valencia Community, and José Bordalás has emerged as a strong critic regarding the continuation of the match amid such circumstances.
The defeat against Leganés last week hit the Galician side hard, marking their worst performance under Giráldez’s reign. The brilliance showcased by the Celestes against Real Madrid vanished during the encounter in Butarque, where they lost momentum after conceding the first goal. The 3-0 scoreline served as a stark warning for the Celta players.
Claudio Giráldez, the Celta coach, will be without attackers Williot Swedberg and Pablo Durán for this match. The Swedish U21 international suffers from muscle edema in his right soleus, while the Galician forward has been ruled out due to a thigh contusion.
On the other hand, despite their struggles to score, Getafe has shown signs of improvement compared to earlier in the season. Although they have managed just one win (a 2-0 victory over Alavés), they have rediscovered the defensive solidity characteristic of Bordalás’ first period in charge. To secure a win against the Azulones, Celta will have to exert themselves completely and endure a tough battle.
Getafe, despite their low standing in the table, has managed to go four matches without a loss, with three draws and one win. Their latest match against Valencia ended in a 1-1 draw, which could have easily been a 2-1 in their favor if it weren’t for the spectacular double save from goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili that thwarted shots from Bertug Yildirim in stoppage time.
Bertug, who has become a staple in Getafe’s attacking line, will get another chance to boost the team’s poor scoring record. Last week, Bordalás opted for a two-striker formation, including Álvaro Rodríguez in the lineup. It’s likely that the Uruguayan forward may sit on the bench again as Christantus Uche returns to the starting XI, reverting to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Getafe’s only injury concern is Borja Mayoral, who will miss his third consecutive match due to physical discomfort. However, the pre-match script doesn’t seem to weigh heavily on Bordalás, who expressed strong criticism in the pre-game press conference about the decision not to suspend the matchday due to the tragedy caused by DANA, which has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. Ultimately, for Bordalás, the significance of the match at Balaídos pales in comparison to the football narrative that surrounds it.
Celta projected lineup: Guaita; Javi Rodriguez, Starfelt, Mark Alonso; Mingueza, Damian or Moriba, Sotelo, Hugo Alvarez; Aspas, Williot, and Borja Churches.
Getafe projected lineup: Soria; Juan Iglesias, Djené, Alderete, Diego Rico; Arambarri, Milla; Carles Pérez, Uche, Álex Sola; and Bertug.
