Getafe vs Real Sociedad preview - Garcia targets Sociedad success

Posted Saturday, March 17, 2012 by PA

Getafe manager Luis Garcia believes victory against Real Sociedad this weekend would go a long way towards sealing their position in the Primera Division next season.

The Madrid side won 2-1 at Villarreal on Monday to move eight points and five places clear of the relegation zone having been bottom of the table themselves after 11 matches and Garcia believes another win against Sociedad will complete that turnaround.

He told AS: "The problem is we are still carrying our poor start to the season. I continue to watch the teams below us, I won't allow us to look up too soon. If we beat Sociedad that will be a big step towards freeing us from the relegation zone."

Garcia though is wary though of a Sociedad side who also won last weekend and sit one point and one place ahead of Getafe in the table.

"They are a very intense team that never loses face in matches. I like the players they have on the wings, the work-rate they have in the centre and they know how they are going to play."

Cata Diaz will be missing for the first time this season for the hosts as he is suspended so Miguel Torres could deputise in central defence.

By contrast Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier does not believe his side are yet safe from the drop and is demanding an improvement from his side away from home.

He told a press conference broadcast on the club's website, "We don't have enough points to relax, we know that things can change very quickly in football.

"Our next three games are very difficult, we play twice away from home and against a Levante side challenging to play in the Champions League, so we can't afford to be calm.

"For me we still haven't played a completely good game, we are playing well, but this isn't sufficient.

"I liked the first half against Zaragoza and the second against Athletic Bilbao, so I think we can play better.

"It is essential that we have a good result away from home because we have lost our previous three on the road and to stay up away results are indispensable."

Montanier will also have to reshuffle his backline as Mikel Gonzalez is suspended and the Frenchman may recall compatriot Antoine Griezmann after he only started on the bench last weekend.