Getafe vs Racing Santander: Two Very Different Routes to a First LaLiga Win

Getafe return to the Coliseum with something to repair after a difficult opening weekend, while Racing Santander arrive with the confidence of a newly promoted side that immediately showed it can compete at this level. José Bordalás’ team lost 3-0 away to Alavés, but their midweek 3-1 victory over Partizan in the Conference League offered a much-needed response. Racing, meanwhile, earned a 2-2 draw against Villarreal in their first LaLiga appearance in 14 years. The contrast makes this a particularly interesting second-round encounter: Getafe need league points quickly, whereas Racing can approach the evening knowing their opening performance already provided evidence that promotion has not changed their ambition. The fixture is scheduled for Sunday, 23 August at the Coliseum, with LaLiga confirming a 17:30 UTC kick-off.

Bordalás faces a selection problem as well as a tactical one. Kiko Femenía is suspended after his red card against Alavés, while Johan Mojica is also unavailable through suspension, leaving Getafe without both of their regular full-back options for this match. The home side are therefore expected to rely on a more conservative defensive structure, with Andrés García and Davinchi among the options to provide width. Racing are likely to retain their 4-2-3-1, placing Sergio Canales behind the attacking line and asking Andrés Martín and Iñigo Vicente to stretch Getafe’s defensive block. The key tactical question is whether Racing can move the ball around Getafe’s compact shape quickly enough to prevent the hosts from turning the match into a series of physical duels.

Racing’s midfield deserves particular attention. Sergio Canales brings experience and control to a team that has just stepped back into Spain’s top division, while Sergio Martínez arrives with momentum after scoring a memorable goal on his LaLiga debut against Villarreal. Andrés Martín also converted from the penalty spot in that match. Getafe have their own attacking response in Martín Satriano and Enes Ünal, with Ünal having scored against Partizan in midweek. The European fixture also creates an additional consideration for Bordalás because Getafe must travel to Belgrade for the Conference League return leg four days after this match, increasing the possibility of rotation and making game management especially important.

The press narrative has consequently focused less on the historical rivalry and more on the immediate circumstances surrounding both clubs. Getafe are trying to avoid carrying their opening-day defeat into another league fixture while simultaneously managing European commitments, whereas Racing are being asked whether the energy of their return to LaLiga can survive the more controlled environment of the Coliseum. José Alberto’s side have already demonstrated attacking intent, but Getafe’s home approach is normally designed to reduce space and make every possession uncomfortable. With both teams still searching for their first league victory of the campaign, the tactical battle may ultimately come down to patience: Racing must avoid forcing the game, while Getafe need to turn their home pressure into chances rather than allowing their European schedule to dictate the tempo.

🚑 Current Medical & Availability Report

Getafe’s most significant confirmed injury is Christantus Uche, who suffered a serious right-knee injury against Monaco and underwent surgery. The club confirmed that his recovery period is expected to be prolonged enough to rule him out for the entire season. Juanmi is also reported as unavailable with a knee problem. For Racing, Pedro Felipe is the principal confirmed absence in the available pre-match reporting, while Giorgi Guliashvili should not be listed as injured for this fixture because Racing’s own official channels show him back training with the group.

Getafe — Injury Status
Category	Player	Injury / Status
Long-Term / IR	Christantus Uche	Serious right-knee injury; underwent surgery and is expected to miss the entire season
Out / Ruled Out	Juanmi	Knee injury; unavailable for the fixture

Racing Santander — Injury Status
Category	Player	Injury / Status
Out / Ruled Out	Pedro Felipe	Thigh injury; expected to remain unavailable until early September

Important availability note: Kiko Femenía and Johan Mojica are also unavailable to Getafe, but they are suspended rather than injured and therefore have not been placed in the injury tables. Giorgi Guliashvili has returned to group training for Racing and is consequently not classified here as an injured player.

📋 Expected Matchday Shapes

The starting XIs had not yet been officially released at the time of this pre-match report, so the tables below are projected lineups, not confirmed team sheets. Getafe are projected to use a five-man defensive structure, while Racing are expected to remain with the 4-2-3-1 that worked against Villarreal. José Alberto is expected to make only limited changes after Racing’s encouraging opening-day performance.

Getafe — Projected XI
Goalkeeper	David Soria	Goalkeeper
Defence	Sebastián Boselli	Right-sided defender
Defence	Abdelkabir Abqar	Centre-back
Defence	Zaid Abner Romero	Centre-back
Wing-back	Andrés García	Right side
Wing-back	Davinchi	Left side
Midfield	Orel Mangala	Central midfield
Midfield	Djené	Central midfield
Midfield	Ramón Terrats	Advanced midfield
Attack	Enes Ünal	Forward
Attack	Martín Satriano	Forward

Racing Santander — Projected XI
Goalkeeper	Julen Agirrezabala	Goalkeeper
Defence	Álvaro Mantilla	Right-back
Defence	Manu Hernando	Centre-back
Defence	Pablo Ramón	Centre-back
Defence	Jorge Salinas	Left-back
Midfield	Gustavo Puerta	Central midfield
Midfield	Sergio Martínez	Central midfield
Attack	Andrés Martín	Right attacking role
Attack	Sergio Canales	Attacking midfield
Attack	Iñigo Vicente	Left attacking role
Attack	Asier Villalibre	Centre-forward

⭐ The Main Figures to Watch

Getafe — Key Personnel
Head Coach	José Bordalás	Must balance a league response with the Conference League schedule
Forward	Martín Satriano	Expected focal point of the attack
Forward	Enes Ünal	Scored in the midweek win over Partizan
Midfielder	Orel Mangala	Important option for controlling the central areas

Racing Santander — Key Personnel
Head Coach	José Alberto López	Leads Racing through their return to top-flight football
Midfielder	Sergio Canales	Experienced creative reference in midfield
Forward	Andrés Martín	Scored from the penalty spot against Villarreal
Midfielder	Sergio Martínez	Scored on his LaLiga debut against Villarreal

What the Pre-Match Press Is Watching

• Getafe’s response: The 3-0 defeat at Alavés left Bordalás’ side needing a domestic reaction, although the 3-1 victory over Partizan restored some momentum.
• European fatigue: Getafe have another Conference League match in Belgrade on 27 August, only four days after this fixture, making squad management a significant talking point.
• Racing’s return: The newly promoted side earned a 2-2 draw with Villarreal on their return to LaLiga, with Sergio Martínez scoring on his top-flight debut.
• Defensive reshuffle: Getafe must cope without Kiko Femenía and Johan Mojica through suspension, while Racing are expected to replace injured Pedro Felipe with Manu Hernando.
• Canales factor: Racing’s experienced playmaker Sergio Canales gives the visitors a player capable of slowing the game down or finding passes through a compact Getafe block.

Variation rule: This preview is built around the contrast between Getafe’s need for recovery and Racing’s desire to prove that their strong opening-day performance was not a one-off. The tactical section comes before the injury report, while availability is separated from suspensions so that the two categories are not mixed.

⚽Extended Highlights
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