Mallorca vs Getafe preview - Getafe put focus on on-field matters

Posted Sunday, April 24, 2011 by PA

Getafe will need to put any off-field distractions aside this weekend as they look to pick up more much-needed points in their fight to avoid relegation.

Getafe have had an interesting week both on and off the pitch. Last Saturday Michel`s men beat high-flying Sevilla 1-0 to record only their second win in 16 league matches in 2011 and keep themselves four points above the relegation zone.

Then, on Thursday, Dubai-based Royal Emirates Group claimed in a statement they had purchased the Primera Division club, although Getafe president Angel Torres insisted on his return to Spain from the United Arab Emirates that the outfit had not yet been sold.

He was quoted as saying in the Spanish media: "Getafe have not been sold yet. First I have to inform the board of everything then I will give a press conference. I`ve been in Dubai looking for sponsors. We`ve signed a series of agreements and protocols."

Away from all that, Getafe`s immediate concern will be to ensure they are playing Primera Division football again next season.

Tomorrow they will look to take another step towards fulfilling that goal when they take on mid-table Real Mallorca on the Balearic Islands - somewhere Getafe have picked up just one point from their six previous visits.

Defender Mario Alvarez said: "We know that it`s going to be very complicated and that it's a difficult ground, but the team is mentally prepared.

"Our minds are only focused on Mallorca and on winning, getting the three points and saving ourselves as soon as possible."

Mallorca have had a mixed season and last weekend`s 3-0 defeat to lowly Malaga means Michael Laudrup`s side will still be nervously looking over their shoulders, with just six points now separating them from the bottom three.

However, a victory this weekend would lift them up to 42 points, and that has been enough to guarantee survival in seven of the last nine Primera Division seasons and should allow Mallorca to breathe a little easier heading into the final five games.

Defender Ayoze said: "We need to beat Getafe. Otherwise we cannot relax and we don't want to start getting into trouble at the bottom of the table."