Getafe vs Real Sociedad preview - Getafe going all out for win

Posted Monday, May 06, 2013 by PA

Getafe midfielder Borja Fernandez fears anything other than victory against high-flying Real Sociedad on Monday night will spell the end of his side's Europa League ambitions.

The Madrid-based club were just two points off the top six not so long ago, but a run of two draws and three defeats in their last five matches has seen Luis Garcia's men slump down to ninth in the standings, nine points off Malaga in sixth.

They are only five points off seventh, which could yet earn European football, but with only four rounds of matches left after this one, Borja feels his side are now drinking in the last chance saloon.

He said: "I think this is the last shot we have to get up there in the standings.

"That's what we wanted when we got to 42 points, as we were close to the European places, but since then we've gone flat, going five games without a win and now we simply need to do it."

He added: "I don't know what's happened. The results haven't been good when before we were on a very good run. Now we need to get out of this because we can still get up there."

While Getafe are hoping to keep their Europa League hopes alive, opponents Sociedad are looking good for a place in the Champions League.

The Basque club have not finished in the top four of the Primera Division since 2003 but they could move five points clear of fifth-placed Valencia with a victory tomorrow.

Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier, whose side have lost just once since the start of November, could be without key duo Xabi Prieto and Asier Illarramendi through injury for the trip to the capital but the Frenchman is confident he has the squad to cope.

"It will not be the first time we've played with some players out," he told reporters.

"At this stage of the season it's normal that the players have physical problems.

"Of course I'd prefer to have a full squad, but the players who come in will contribute a lot to the team.

"What every coach wants is that the squad maintains the same level of play when there are two or three players injured."

Regarding his side's bid for a Champions League berth, Montanier said: "The objective now is to stay in fourth position. Before it was to stay in the division, now it's to stay in fourth place.