Getafe vs Barcelona preview - Plaza eyes Barca scalp

Posted Saturday, November 26, 2011 by PA

Getafe manager Luis Garcia Plaza believes his side can surprise Barcelona and insists he will not change his strategy against the Primera Division champions.

Barcelona beat AC Milan 3-2 at the San Siro to secure top spot in their Champions League group in midweek and are currently second in La Liga behind Real Madrid.

In contrast, Getafe have won only two league games this season and are languishing in 12th place, but Plaza insists his side can pull off a shock.

"We have played our last four games well, we feel that the home team is strong and we have faith that we can get something or win," the Getafe boss told www.as.com.

"We can beat them and score the points. That is the feeling we have.

"If you want to win, they will have to make it a good game. I think we can surprise them.

"We must be more ambitious. At home I see the team are playing well and we can get something positive.

"The team has that faith and that desire to win, for the points and the strengthening of mind. We will not change our strategy."

However, Plaza, who described Barcelona as "the best team in the world", knows the main threat will come in the form of Lionel Messi, who scored his 25th goal in 20 games this season in Wednesday's win at the San Siro.

"All coaches try to stop Messi and (Real Madrid's) Cristiano Ronaldo," Plaza said.

"We must be very careful, because they are still scoring an impressive number of goals."

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has faced criticism over the formation he deployed in his side's Champions League win but insisted the 4-3-3 strategy gave his side more options.

Guardiola praised midfielder Thiago Alcantara for his role and insisted the adaptability of the side is key as they return to league competition.

"It was a risk, but I weighed my options, and playing this way gives us more more options to play," Guardiola told the club's official website, www.fcbarcelona.com.

"Thiago, he's the boldest player we have in the squad. He's confident in himself, he's strong, he's good.

"It doesn't matter if he plays on a small or large field. He can adapt and that can only be done if you have good self esteem."