Getafe will line up in their usual 4-4-2, a shape that's become synonymous with defensive solidity and tactical fouling. They'll sit deep, compress the space between the lines, and force Racing to try and play through a forest of legs. The double pivot will screen the back four, while the wide midfielders tuck in to make the pitch feel tiny. It's not pretty, but it's brutally effective. Racing, in their 4-2-3-1, will have the ball, but they'll be doing all the chasing. Canales will drop deep to try and orchestrate, but he'll find no time on the ball. The second balls will be Getafe's. The set-pieces will be Getafe's. The game will be played on Getafe's terms.

The key battle will be out wide. Racing's full-backs will push on, but that leaves gaps in behind. Getafe's wide men will exploit those spaces on the counter, with Satriano and his strike partner looking to run in behind. If Racing commit too many men forward, they'll get caught. If they sit back, they'll never break down a low block that's been drilled for weeks. It's a classic trap game for the newly promoted side.