Getafe vs Racing Santander preview - European hopes slim for Garcia

Posted Tuesday, May 01, 2012 by PA

Getafe manager Luis Garcia believes his side face an uphill battle to secure European football for next season ahead of the Primera Division match against relegated Racing Santander.

Getafe lost 3-1 at home to Mallorca on Saturday which dealt a heavy blow to their hopes of Europa League football, meaning they have lost three of their last four games.

Garcia has targeted areas for improvement but thinks his side need to claim wins in their last three games, starting on Tuesday morning against Racing, if they are to stand any chance of claiming a European berth.

"The chance of getting into Europe is now very difficult," Garcia told www.marca.com.

"Now we have to win all three games to have a small chance, but the chance is minimal. "In defense we have to be more aggressive, stronger, more aggressive than we are currently and have more mobility."

In contrast to Getafe's European ambitions, Racing's 10-year spell in Spain's top flight ended after last Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Real Sociedad.

Racing have only won four times so far this league campaign but coach Alvaro Cervera said his side will not go down without a fight in their final games of the season.

"We will play this Primera Division match (against Getafe) with intensity, fight and claw," Cervera told www.as.com. "We will be trying to take our chances and make sure they do not have theirs."

Cervera also confirmed in a press conference before the game that striker Jaime Isuardi will be included in his squad for the first time for the match.