Villarreal Visits Madrid's "Other" Team

Real Madrid. Atlético Madrid. Even Rayo Vallecano, the blue-collar side back in the top flight after nearly a decade. And then comes Getafe, just a small-town girl living in a lonely world.

Getafe CF made its first-division debut in 2004 and has survived seven up-and-down seasons. Its finishes: 13th, 9th, 9th, 14th, 17th, 6th, 16th. One Europa League appearance (which ended badly), a few mid-table campaigns, and a couple of survival scrambles. Not bad, but not the small-town success story that is Villarreal.

One of tomorrow's storylines: Giuseppe Rossi and his quest for club history. Rossi may not have replaced Diego Forlán in our hearts, but the Italian striker is one of the best to don all-yellow. So it will be a fitting honor, whenever the time comes (hopefully against Getafe, else we may not score).

Also watch for Joselu's potential debut with the A team. This will cap a meteoric rise for the youngster, who has made all of eleven appearances in the Segunda. Kudos to him, and he can also thank a rash of injuries for the opportunity.

Manager Juan Carlos Garrido's 18-man squad (just barely):

Keepers: Diego López, César.
Defenders: Mario, Zapata, Gonzalo, Marchena, Catalá.
Midfielders: Senna, Bruno, Camuñas, Wakaso, Cani, Borja, Pérez, de Guzmán.
Strikers: Rossi, Gerard, Joselu.

Even with all of the fitness issues, no Joan Oriol in the squad. The doghouse it is, then. Mateo Musacchio is a late injury scratch, joining Ángel López, Marco Ruben, and Nilmar in the infirmary. And Hernán Pérez, although in the squad, arrived late from his national team duty with Paraguay.

The home side also has a number of injuries, including Pedro León, the bane of my fantasy team's existence. So former Levante boss Luis García Plaza is not exactly licking his chops ahead of our visit.

A prediction, you say? That's what the poll is for. I voted for 1-1, though we need a win. And I'll take the point without any complaint. It's been that kind of season so far.