Malaga vs Getafe Preview: Caballero in for Malaga

Posted Sunday, February 13, 2011 by PA

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini could hand a debut to emergency signing Willy Caballero in his side's Primera Division clash at home to Getafe as the Andalusians' problems continue to mount.

Argentinian goalkeeper Caballero signed from Second Division Elche this week as cover for Sergio Asenjo, who ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee and is likely to be out for the rest of the campaign.

Asenjo had signed on loan from Atletico Madrid in January but may not play again for Malaga.

On top of that, Portugal midfielder Duda is sidelined for a month and defender Javier Malagueno is also out with a long-term knee injury.

Kris and Helder Rosario are doubtful for the game against Getafe, forcing Pellegrini to call up several young players.

Those preparations have hardly been ideal for a Malaga side in desperate need of points to move off the bottom of the table.

"Every game from now until the end of the season is a final," Chilean coach Pellegrini said.

"We are preparing ourselves mentally and physically to overcome this situation."

Malaga, with 18 points, are only four behind a cluster of teams on 22, led by Sporting Gijon in 13th place, and Pellegrini knows a win will see that gap close significantly.

"We need to go out and beat Getafe - that would change everything," he said.

Getafe ended a run of three straight defeats - and a five-game streak in which they had picked up just a point - with an emphatic 4-1 win at home to Deportivo La Coruna last weekend.

That success saw the Madrid side move up one place to ninth, but defender Ivan Marcano hopes his team can become more consistent.

"When we win a game it seems everything is great, but we have had a lot of (winning and losing) streaks - we have to try and be more consistent," he said.

Rafa Lopez and Dani Parejo return for Getafe, but Manu Del Moral misses out.