Getafe Chief Angel Torres Criticizes Xavi Hernandez While Defending Manager Jose Bordalas’ Playing Style
Bordalas’ style of football has faced substantial criticism for its perceived defensive approach, evident in three of Getafe’s 13 La Liga matches this season resulting in scoreless draws.
One of these draws occurred in August against Barcelona, where both teams settled for a lackluster goalless draw during the opening gameweek of the 2023/24 La Liga season.
After the match, Barcelona’s manager Xavi expressed frustration with Getafe’s defensive tactics, branding their approach to the game as a ‘disgrace’.
“They were comfortable wasting time with the 0-0, it’s their football,” Xavi told DAZN.
“It’s normal that people don’t want to watch this football. This was not a match, today’s product is a disgrace.”
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After those remarks, Bordalas was eager to emphasize that Xavi would employ a comparable style of play if he were managing Getafe, asserting:
“I don’t understand the criticism towards my style.
We can’t play against Barca head-on. Any Barca player earns more than all the Getafe players combined.
If Xavi were Getafe’s coach, he wouldn’t play with the same style that he plays at Barca.”
Getafe’s president Torres has now come out in defence of Bordalas when talking to Onda Cero, stating that managers that have
“been coaching for three days” like Xavi don’t have the right to criticise the tactics implemented by the Madrid-based club.
“With Bordalas, many people have been unfair,” Torres said.
“It hurts any human being to be so unfair to someone and the data has been shown to be untrue.
“People who have been coaching for three days dare to tell him how he has to play. Xavi, for example, Cholo [Diego Simeone], any coach.”
Barcelona is set to encounter Getafe once again in La Liga at the end of February, anticipating another intense and spirited matchup.
