Why underdogs Getafe are the team nobody wants to play against

When asked which teams would finish in the LaLiga Santander top four, not many would have chosen Getafe CF at the start of the season. However, with twelve Matchdays remaining, a club record finish is not just a distant dream for Jose Bordalas's men.

For those who have watched the Azulones on a regular basis this season it shouldn't come as a surprise. There is no luck about their rise up the standings, this is a team with a clear identity, belief in their tactics and quality in defence and attack.

Getafe average the lowest amount of possession per match in LaLiga Santander. However, when they do have the ball they make use of it. No team needs fewer passes to create a goalscoring opportunity, and according to statistics from Mediacoach, their conversion rate is the fifth best in the division.

This is down in no small part to the excellent form of Jaime Mata and Jorge Molina in attack. Both strikers are in their 30s, but they're always on the same wavelength and have found the net 11 and 10 times respectively so far this season. FC Barcelona are the only other side in Spain with multiple forwards on double figures for goals.

Their 4-4-2 formation with two centre-forwards is something of a rarity in the modern game, but that doesn't mean Getafe resort to long balls, crosses and set pieces - quite the opposite in fact. They have the highest percentage of goals from open play this season in LaLiga Santander (82.4%), and are also the team that plays with the least width.

Normally, their designated wide players are Francisco Portillo, a right footer playing on the left, and converted full-back Dmitri Foulquier. Both are well trained in Bordalas's pressing game and tend to play more inverted roles, helping out in the midfield and providing cover for the defence.

As you can see from the graphic, the Azulones are very compact which allows them to defend in numbers and also gives them more options for attacking transitions. The midfielders prey on second balls, which when won, can lead to spaces becoming available for the frontmen to exploit.

Without the ball Getafe are very comfortable. Their central midfielders don't touch the ball often - normally averaging between 20 and 30 passes a match - but the work they do is crucial. Their main tasks are to make recoveries, prevent the opposition midfield from having time and space by pressing high up the pitch, and blocking off passing lanes into the final third.

Experienced head Mathieu Flamini has come in recently, and even at 35 years-old covers a higher average distance per match than any other player in the team. Just behind him are fellow midfielders Nemanja Maksimovic and Mauro Arambarri, who are usually Bordalas's first choices.

With such a defined style of play, Getafe appear to be growing in confidence with every passing match. Their intensity and apparent difficulty to play against makes you think that they really could surpass their highest ever LaLiga finish of sixth this season.