Getafe secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory on Wednesday, with Enes Ünal delivering the decisive penalty as the team edged Celtic to claw back points in a match shaped by the experience of the old guard led by Jose Bordalás, who aimed to add three more chapters to his long run with the side.
In a game mirroring recent sessions more than a full tactical overhaul, Bordalás, after a 1-0 defeat to Espanyol in his previous outing, opted for a lineup that could have graced his 2021-era Getafe. It was a nod to the stability that carried him through his first spell with the club, five years ago, and signaled a preference for a familiar rhythm over experimentation.
Nine starters from the past era were back in the mix, underscoring Bordalás’s confidence in a trusted core. The squad also welcomed several newer faces this season, including Mauro Arambarri and Jaime Mata, who added freshness to the experienced backbone. After a return from a spell of injuries, the Uruguayan central midfielder rejoined the engine room alongside Nemanja Maksimovic, who had been sidelined for a stretch with Quique. Meanwhile, Borja remained a point of reference in the discussion around the lineup.
Only Stefan Mitrovic and Gastón Álvarez were less familiar to Bordalás, who observed Iago Aspas turning for Celta in search of salvation, with the aim of securing a result that could have changed the landscape for the visitors.
Enes Ünal is a focal figure for Getafe. The game underlined his role in the team’s approach as a leading goal threat, a theme that ran through social posts from the day, including a mention of Ünal in match-day coverage.
From the outset, Bordalás’s old-school approach paid immediate dividends. Getafe found the net early when Ünal earned and converted a penalty, ending a six-match drought without a goal and triggering a rousing reaction from the home crowd at the Coliseum. The moment epitomized the manager’s ethos: straightforward, direct football carried by intensity and precision. The victory gave Getafe the advantage at halftime, with Bordalás’s fingerprint clear in the way the team organized off the ball, controlled space, and pressed with purpose against a cautious opponent.
The first half left little room for debate: Getafe dictated the tempo, while Celtic’s plan to stretch the field and exploit quick transitions remained largely unexecuted. Even with some adjustments after the break, the game did not explode into a high-scoring spectacle. Referee interactions and the occasional stoppage highlighted the intensity of a contest that demanded discipline and grit more than flair. The second period featured a few tense moments as the visitors pushed higher, but Getafe’s collective organization endured, repelling threats and keeping the clean sheet intact.
Celta’s response featured a rare threat when Franco Cervi had a muted yet promising moment just before the break, and Jaime Mata came close to adding a second with a header that skimmed the crossbar while Ünal followed in to pressure the defense. The match remained tightly contested as the teams re-emerged after halftime the way veterans expect: with continuity, not experimentation.
Carvalhal, the visiting coach, faced a difficult mood inside the locker room as the team tried to recalibrate. Haris Seferovic and Luca de la Torre were brought on in search of a spark, but the on-field dynamics did not shift in a meaningful way. The home side, guided by Bordalás’s principles, did not loosen their grip on the game. A notable moment came when a change in the middle created a window for Mata to threaten, and Ünal’s bite in the box signaled that Getafe were ready to pounce at every moment.
After a tense spell without penalties, Getafe’s tactical discipline continued to shape the match. The hosts remained vigilant, maintaining the balance between pressing and holding their lines, and they found reward as the clock ticked on. Ünal’s tempo and movements created spaces that Mata and others exploited, and a decisive moment arrived when Ünal seized the opportunity to convert a chance that sent the stadium into celebrations. The strike summed up Bordalás’s plan: power, direct play, and relentless pursuit of the goal, with the squad obeying the game plan through every phase of the match. It was a reminder that results can hinge on a single, well-executed moment rather than extended, flamboyant play.
As the match wore on, Getafe faced growing pressure. Celtic tightened their lines, Aspas and Pérez probed from wide positions, and the ball spent more time in the hosts’ defensive third. Yet the Spanish side held firm, translating defensive resilience into a late-night triumph as the clock counted down. The visitors pushed to alter the scoreline, but Getafe’s organized block withstood the late surges and cleared danger with calm, methodical play—an embodiment of Bordalás’s widely recognized approach.
In the closing exchanges, Getafe’s counter-moves remained efficient, and the result stayed lean but decisive. Ünal’s double-threat presence—physical presence in the box and a calm execution from the spot—proved enough to secure the three points and reinforce Getafe’s standing in the league race. The win reinforced Bordalás’s reputation for extracting maximum value from experienced personnel, while integrating contributions from newer faces who fit seamlessly into his system. It was a performance that underscored the club’s identity and their intent to push for a strong finish in the season.
Post-match reflections centered on Bordalás’s methodology: a game plan built on structured organization, aggressive pressing when appropriate, and a reliance on the team’s collective discipline rather than individual individual brilliance. The manager’s choices once again demonstrated faith in a seasoned lineup capable of producing results when it matters most. For Getafe, the victory represented more than three points; it validated a managerial philosophy that rewards consistency, readiness, and a well-drilled squad ready to seize opportunities when they arise. The wins like this keep momentum alive and offer a blueprint for continued success in the league. The key takeaway is clear: experience combined with decisive execution can tilt tight matches in Getafe’s favor, especially when backed by a supportive home crowd and a plan that players trust and execute with precision. [Citation: Movistar Football match coverage]
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