Getafe, a Spanish football club, has been making waves in La Liga with their impressive performances. However, upon closer examination, it appears that their success can be attributed to a simple yet effective strategy - exploiting home advantage and battling hard on away grounds.
In the 2019/2020 season, Getafe secured a spot in the Europa League by finishing fifth in La Liga, only behind the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla. What is even more impressive is their home record - they won 10 out of 19 games played, drawing six and losing just three. In contrast, their away record was not as strong, winning only four games, drawing seven and losing eight.
This trend has continued into the current season, with Getafe winning all but one of their home games, while struggling to secure victories on the road. This has led to some critics accusing the team of being overly reliant on home form. However, Jose Bordalas, the team's manager, has defended his team's approach.
Bordalas believes that playing at home provides a significant advantage for any team, and that Getafe has worked hard to make their stadium, Coliseum Alfonso Perez, a fortress that opponents dread visiting. The team's aggressive, high-pressing style of play also plays to the strengths of their home ground, which has a smaller pitch than most others in the league.
On the other hand, when playing away from home, Getafe faces the added challenge of adapting to different playing conditions and hostile crowds. Bordalas has stated that he believes his team's results on the road have been affected by various factors such as injuries, fixture congestion, and tactical changes made by opponents.
Despite their struggles away from home, Getafe has still managed to stay competitive in La Liga and currently sits seventh in the table. This can be attributed to their excellent home form, which has seen them beat the likes of Barcelona and Valencia this season.
As the season draws to a close, Getafe will be looking to continue their impressive form at home while also improving their away record. If they can do so, they may even surpass last season's achievement of securing a spot in the Europa League.
In conclusion, while some may criticize Getafe's reliance on home form, there is no denying that it has been a successful strategy for the team. By utilizing the advantages of their stadium and playing style, they have turned Coliseum Alfonso Perez into a fortress that opponents fear. As they look to build on their success, it will be interesting to see if they can improve their performances away from home and prove their critics wrong.