Getafe vs Celta Vigo: two goal-shy sides collide in La Liga
On Monday, 7 September, Getafe host Celta Vigo at the Coliseum in a La Liga fixture between two teams that have struggled badly to score this season.
Context
Celta Vigo arrive at this away fixture matching the worst goalscoring start in the club's Primera División history — just one goal in four matches, equalling the mark set in 2016/17. That lone goal came from captain Iago Aspas at home against Balaídos. Away from home Celta have yet to score, but they also have not conceded, having drawn both of their away matches (at Mestalla and Anoeta) 0-0. Overall the team has two draws and two defeats so far.
Getafe are not faring much better in front of goal, having scored only once in three matches (through Enes Ünal), with just four of their 22 shots on target. The last meeting between the two sides at the Coliseum, seven months ago, ended 0-0. Getafe have taken only three points from a possible nine, having lost their previous match to Osasuna 1-0.
Managerial decisions
Celta coach Claudio Giráldez made six changes compared to the side that drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad. Starfelt (making his club debut), Javi Galán, El-Abdellaoui, Hugo González, Pablo Durán and Iago Aspas came into the line-up, while Javi Rueda, Núñez, Carreira, Antañón, Jutglà and Swedberg dropped out. Radu, Marcos Alonso, Yoel Lago, Miguel Román and Ilaix Moriba retained their places.
According to OneFootball, the team's system will shift during the match from a 3-4-3 to a 4-3-3, with Aspas operating as a playmaker. Ahead of the game, one preview (source: OneFootball) suggested new Uruguayan signing Sebastián Cáceres could lead the defence, but he did not make the final starting eleven — Swedish defender Starfelt debuted in that role instead. Cáceres joined Celta from Mexican club América and signed a contract until 2030. Forward Borja Iglesias, back from a soleus injury, started on the bench.
Getafe coach José Bordalás made two changes from the side that lost to Osasuna: Nemanja Gudelj replaces Francho in midfield, and Mario Martín comes in for Andrés García. Bordalás was openly critical of the club's summer transfer business before the match, saying the squad "has ended up too short." Juan Berrocal and Yvan Neyou departed the club, while Iván Azón and Gudelj arrived. Getafe are without the injured Christantus Uche and Juanmi Jiménez, while Abdel Abqar is a doubt.
Line-ups
Getafe: Soria; Kiko Femenía, Djené, Romero, Mojica; Mario Martín, Gudelj, Mangala, Terrats; Ünal and Satriano. Celta: Radu; El-Abdellaoui, Yoel Lago, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso, Javi Galán; Moriba, Román; Aspas, Durán and Hugo González.
