Getafe vs Athletic Bilbao preview - De Marcos wary of bogey side

Posted Monday, October 28, 2013 by PA

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oscar De Marcos believes they have to overcome bogey side Getafe if they are to have ambitions of progressing in the Primera Division.

The Basque club have not beaten their Madrid-based opponents in five matches and have never won in the capital in nine meetings between the teams.

They are separated only by goal difference in the table, with in-form Getafe just ahead in fifth place and within a point of the Champions League places after four successive league wins.

"We are looking forward to taking something positive from Getafe," De Marcos, who may have to deputise at right-back for Andoni Iraola who has a back problem, told a pre-match press conference.

"We have to try to break the streak but we know that will not be easy.

"It's a very important game knowing that Getafe have won four games in a row.

"If we want to be on top we have to win games like these."

Getafe have swept aside Celta Vigo, Real Betis, Espanyol and Granada since losing the Madrid derby to Real on September 22.

That comes after taking just one point from the opening three matches of the season and coach Luis Garcia notes the improvement.

"We were very poor and now we have gone to great," he told a press conference.

However, with games to follow against Villarreal and Valencia, Garcia is not getting carried away by thoughts of European qualification.

"Even if we win (all) three we will not say that we will fight for Europe," he added.

On Monday's visitors, Garcia added: "Bilbao are a little more sorted defensively than other years.

"This year they have a little more balance between the defensive and offensive, but they are still very dangerous and we will have to be at our best to win."