Bordalás says everything is settled with Ángel Torres

“Everything has been discussed with Ángel Torres,” José Bordalás said. The Getafe coach spoke at a press conference before the match against Athletic, addressing the controversy that followed his team’s defeat by Lugano in the Conference League.

Bordalás said his criticism after that game was not aimed at the club president. The 2-5 loss to Lugano had reignited tensions over the make-up of the squad and commitments that had been made. The coach said his conversations with Torres had clarified the situation and described their relationship as excellent. The president had responded to the coach’s comments the following day, defending the club’s sporting planning.

Speaking about the defeat, Bordalás said what hurt him was conceding five goals, rather than the statements themselves. He also referred to his conversation with Torres: both, he said, were affected by a painful and unexpected loss. The team, he added, now had to focus on the next match, scheduled at San Mamés against Athletic, and try to prevent a repeat of the previous Thursday’s defeat.

The coach also gave an update on Enes Ünal. The player had felt pain after an entry that raised concern about his ankle, but had trained normally. Bordalás said he was certain Ünal would be available unless his condition was very poor.

For the match, the coach said he would try to select the most competitive lineup while taking account of players’ freshness and the quick succession of games. He also said Zaid Romero and Mangala would not be available for this fixture: their return to normal training was approaching, but playing them so soon would have carried too much risk.

The immediate focus, then, is Athletic, while the public dispute with Torres is being presented as settled. The controversy erupted after the defeat to Lugano, when Bordalás strongly criticised the construction of the squad and said he felt deceived by unfulfilled promises. At the press conference, he said the matter had now been clarified and that his affection for the president would last forever.