Getafe - Villarreal: Lineups confirmed as both teams begin warm-ups
On Feb. 14 (ET) both sides have announced their starting XIs and are on the pitch for warm-ups, with a handful of notable changes shaping expectations ahead of kickoff. Villarreal bring three new starters, while Getafe make a single forced tweak to cover an injury.
Confirmed lineups
Villarreal roll out a side with fresh faces across the spine: Luiz Júnior in goal; Mouriño, Pau Navarro and Renato Veiga in a three-man defensive block with Alfonso Pedraza at wing-back; Buchanan, Gueye, and Dani Parejo in midfield with Hugo López making a start; and Pépé paired with Tani Oluwaseyi up front.
Getafe line up with Soria between the posts; Kiko Femenía, Duarte, Abdel Abqar and Zaid Romero across the back; Juan Iglesias at left-back; a midfield three of Arambarri, Milla and Djené; and the attack led by Satriano and Luis Vázquez.
Villarreal’s changes and bench decisions
The visitors hand starts to Alfonso Pedraza, Tani Oluwaseyi and Hugo López. A notable selection choice sees Alberto Moleiro moved to the bench after a recent illness; Hugo López takes his place in the XI. George Mikautadze also drops out in favor of Oluwaseyi, while Sergi Cardona makes way for Pedraza on the flank.
Those shifts suggest a desire for directness up front, with Oluwaseyi offering physical presence and Pépé the pace and dribbling to stretch Getafe’s backline. Pedraza’s inclusion on the flank will add offensive thrust and crossing ability, while Parejo’s experience in midfield retains a stabilizing influence.
Getafe’s forced tweak and defensive novelty
Home manager makes a single, forced change after an injury to Mario Martín. Djené moves into midfield to cover that gap, a bold redeployment that alters Getafe’s usual balance. To reinforce the backline, Abdel Abqar is introduced as a defensive novelty in the centre of defence.
With just one enforced change, the rest of the XI remains familiar. Arambarri and Milla keep control duties in the middle, and the forward pairing of Satriano and Luis Vázquez remains intact, giving Getafe continuity in attack despite the defensive reshuffle.
Tactical matchups and players to watch
Key confrontations will likely decide the game. Parejo’s ability to dictate tempo and find pockets of space will be tested by Getafe’s industrious midfield trio. Djené’s adaptation to a midfield role will be crucial: his defensive qualities can break up Villarreal’s progression, but he will also be asked to help transition the ball forward.
Up front, Pépé’s creativity versus Getafe’s reconfigured defence is one to monitor. Oluwaseyi’s hold-up play could free Pépé to drift wide and create overloads, while Pedraza’s forays from the wing can create crossing opportunities for the two strikers. At the other end, Soria’s positioning and Abqar’s composure will be tested by Villarreal’s varied attacking routes.
Context and immediate implications
Villarreal enter aiming to protect their position among the top contenders, and three points here would consolidate that standing. For Getafe, the priority is to secure points at home and respond to a fixture that demands defensive resilience and quick adaptation to the enforced midfield change.
With lineups final and both teams completing warm-ups, attention now turns to kickoff later on Feb. 14 (ET). Expect tactical tweaks throughout the match as each coach looks to impose their plan and exploit the changes named in these starting XIs.
