Getafe lost a man at 86, already three down, and conceded again

Athletic Club beat Getafe at San Mamés having created fewer chances than usual, yet they scored at a higher rate than their chances suggested.

Getafe lost Mario Martín Rielves to a red card in the 86th minute, but by then Athletic Club had already scored three times at San Mamés. Alex Berenguer, Iñaki Williams and Aitor Paredes had put them in front, and Yuri Berchiche added a fourth two minutes after the dismissal. The sending off came too late to change the outcome, but it changed how the closing minutes read for a side that was already well behind.

Athletic had 62% of the ball, well above the 54.6% they usually have at home this season. Getafe had 38%, close to the 36.8% they average away, so the difference came from Athletic taking more of the ball than they normally do rather than from Getafe giving much away. Possession alone does not decide a match, though, so the next question is what each side did with it.

Expected goals, usually shortened to xG, is a way of measuring the quality of chances, so a shot from close range counts for more than one from distance. Athletic's chances added up to 0.75 xG, below the 0.93 they usually reach at home, yet they scored four. Their eleven shots were close to their usual count, which means the gap lies in the quality of those chances and in how well they were taken.

Getafe's attacking return was thinner still. Their seven shots fell well short of the league average of 13.6 per side, and their xG of 0.42 sat below the 0.58 they usually manage away. Getafe usually concede 1.73 xG on their travels, and Athletic's chances came to only that total of 0.75, so the visitors' defence held up better than their away form would suggest.

Berenguer was involved in all four goals. He scored the first himself at 17 minutes and then set up the next three, which is why he finished with a rating of 9.8, the highest of anyone on the pitch. Paredes and Williams both scored, but the match was built around Berenguer's passing and his sharpness in the final third.

Getafe's discipline also deserves a mention. Ramón Terrats, Daniel Carvajal and Johan Mojica were all booked before Rielves was sent off, leaving the visitors with three yellow cards and a red. Athletic received only one booking in the same match, and Getafe committed 14 fouls to Athletic's 11, a difference that adds to the picture of a side losing control of the game.

Getafe have won one of their last six away matches, and Athletic have lost only one of their last six at home. Getafe are 16th in the table with nine points from nine matches, while Athletic are 15th with nine points from eight.

Player of the matchÁlex Berenguer1 goal · 3 assists9.8

Aitor Paredes1 goal8.7

Yuri1 goal8.5

I. Williams1 goal7.9