Real Betis vs Getafe preview - Etxebarria targets survival

Posted Saturday, February 25, 2012 by PA

Benat Etxebarria believes Real Betis are capable of more than just survival at the end of the season but has admitted that staying in the Primera Division remains their primary objective.

The midfielder starred as Betis won 2-0 at Zaragoza on Monday night to move six points clear of the drop zone and he is convinced that if they keep their current form going they will soon be able to start looking up the table rather than down.

He told the club's website: "If we continue like this I don't suppose we will have any problems, but we are going game by game and three points by three points.

"The first objective is to stay in the league and then we will see. We want to get to 44 points without having to look at our distance to the bottom."

However, Benat is expecting a tough match when Getafe visit the Benito Villamarin this weekend.

"They, like us, after playing better in the second half of the season and they are in a good moment. It will be an intense and difficult match."

Manager Pepe Mel will have to do without both Ruben Castro and Salva Sevilla as they picked up yellow cards against Zaragoza and are suspended so Roque Santa Cruz is expected to start with Javier Matilla taking Sevilla's place in midfield.

Getafe meanwhile have signed Alexis on loan from Sevilla for the rest of the season after the Spanish Football Federation gave them special dispensation to sign a defender due to the raft of injuries affecting their back line.

The centre back returns to the side where he shone during the 2006-07 season and he has said he is desperate to play regularly after a frustrating season at Sevilla.

He told Marca: "I spoke with (new Sevilla manager) Michel and he said he would count on me, but I need to play now. Sevilla won last weekend and normally when a team wins the manager repeats the same line-up.

"The truth is I need to feel like a footballer again and I have come to Getafe with great excitement and hunger to help the team."

Alexis will slot in alongside Cata Diaz at the heart of the defence in the absence of Rafa and Alberto Lopo, whilst Michel misses out with a bout of gastroenteritis but Juan Valera could return at right-back.