Mallorca vs Getafe preview - Dos Santos issues rallying cry

Posted Saturday, February 23, 2013 by PA

Mallorca forward Giovani Dos Santos has called on the club's fans to show their support and get behind the team when they host Getafe at the Iberostar stadium.

Mallorca are 19th in the Primera Division table and six points away from climbing out of the relegation zone, prompting Dos Santos to describe the game against Luis Garcia's side as "vital" in the club's fight to avoid the drop.

"The support of the fans is crucial in these difficult times for the team, and we need them now more than ever," he told reporters.

"It's very important for us to feel they are with us. They need to believe in us from the first to the last minute of the match, because we are going to deliver.

"All the players are feeling up for the game and can't wait for it to arrive. I hope we can bring the supporters some joy."

Dos Santos believes a win tomorrow could spark a positive run of results.

"It's a vital game and a victory would really put us right into the fight for survival," he added.

"We can't afford to drop a single more point at home. The team are working well and the players are confident of ourselves, there are people with renewed confidence with the change of coach, we hope people will see that on the pitch."

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, manager Luis Garcia declared that the match was the right time for Getafe to end their poor run of form away from home.

He said: "We've now lost four away games in a row. Admittedly, they were at Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Rayo Vallecano, but we need win away from home.

"It's time we got our heads down and try to build up points so that in the last few games of the season we can aim high."

Garcia pointed out that Mallorca were a different side since Joaquin Caparros was replaced by Gregorio Manzano as the club's coach at the start of February, and insisted his players would have to be "brave" to get anything from the match.

"They have changed their style and way of playing, before with Caparros they were more direct and intense, now with Manzano they try to have more possession," he said.

"The game will be like a final for them, it's important we keep up our intensity away from home and maintain our concentration. We are in a decisive moment of the season and we have to leave Mallorca with something, I hope it's the three points, but we have to gain points."

Garcia will be without Angel Lafita, Juan Rodriguez and Juan Valera for the match, while Javi Marquez is suspended for Mallorca.