Getafe lose 2-5 to Lugano; Bordalás says he feels deceived and Torres hits back

A heavy defeat at the Coliseum

Getafe lost 2-5 to FC Lugano at the Coliseum on Thursday, 22 October 2026, in the second matchday of the Conference League. Iván Azón gave the home side the lead inside two minutes, but Lugano replied quickly through Albian Ajeti. Yanis Cimignani made it 1-2 in the 7th minute, Ajeti scored again for 1-3 before half-time, and Uran Bislimi extended the lead to 1-4 after the restart. Borja Mayoral pulled one back in the 74th minute, but Kevin Behrens struck in stoppage time to set the final score. The defeat leaves Getafe with one point from two matches and a single win in their last ten.

Rotations that backfired

Bordalás made as many as seven changes from the side that played Rayo in the league, planning to rest several regulars for the Conference League tie. The plan collapsed quickly, as Lugano's goals came from repeated defensive errors and Getafe struggled to deal with balls played in behind the back line. At half-time the side trailed 1-3, so Bordalás sent his regulars back on and made four changes at the restart: Nemanja Gudelj, Johan Mojica, Ramón Terrats and Martín Satriano. Getafe pushed forward and appealed for a penalty, but the Swiss side held on. Bordalás later said Lugano could be compared to a Segunda División side in Spain, and that conceding five goals at home was unacceptable.

Bordalás says he feels deceived

Bordalás spoke to the press after the match and admitted he was angry at the defensive collapse, describing an 'enormous fragility' at the back. He said he had warned since May that the season would be demanding and that the squad was not ready for matches every three days. He added that he would no longer be able to rest starters, given the risk of injuries and a squad he described as unprepared. He summed up his mood in these words:

I feel, not frustrated, but somewhat deceived, because what I have been promised year after year has not been delivered.

He also criticised the club's sporting planning, arguing that the squad could not cope with three competitions and was not enough even for one.

Torres hits back

On 23 October, Getafe president Ángel Torres replied in comments to Cadena SER. He said Bordalás had signed for the club of his own free will, that 'the door is open' for him, and asked why the coach stayed if he was so unhappy. Torres also asked Bordalás to respect his players as much as they respected him, and said there was no drama. He reacted sharply to the accusation of being deceived:

You have to have a face like cement to tell me, after thirty years, that I have deceived him.

Torres added that no measures would be taken against the coach, and that the players would show him he was wrong on the pitch.

What comes next

Getafe face Athletic Club at San Mamés on Sunday, 25 October 2026, in La Liga. Bordalás told As that Athletic is a stronger and more competitive opponent than Lugano, and he called for a rapid change of mindset from his players. Torres framed the task simply: win the match and move past the public exchange. The row has left coach and president publicly at odds one day after the defeat, with the squad's preparation at the centre of it.