The debate about the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is trending in Spain

It has its supporters and its detractors, but for Getafe, its absence in the Europa League group stage could be pivotal for their future in the competition. On this occasion, the men of José Bordalás will surely have missed a system that could have given them a crucial point.

But until that goal from Ángel that the referee did not validate, Getafe faced the toughest rival of Group C and once again played a tough, hard-fought game that is only suitable for the strongest. Just like in the first leg, Basel, which had Paraguayans Blas Riveros and Omar Alderete on the field for the entire game, used the same tactics that Getafe has had success with in recent seasons and even drew complaints from José Bordalás, who lamented the excessive physicality after losing 0-1 at the Coliseum.

To seek revenge, Getafe knew they had to roll up their sleeves at St. Jakob-Park stadium. Every ball was going to be fought for on every inch of the field, and Bordalás fielded a starting eleven with several variations to win the impending battle.

The presence of Serbian midfielder Nemanja Maksimovic on the right flank was a surprise. With Uruguayan Damián Suárez injured and Allan Nyom carrying a heavy load of minutes, the Balkan player was deployed in a position that was not his natural one. Similarly, Uruguayan Mathías Olivera, who was usually on the left flank, was moved to the center of the defense.

In addition, Hugo Duro made an appearance. This season, he had not yet seen minutes with the first team. Until this Thursday, he had alternated between playing with the reserves and being on the bench. And up front, Enric Gallego left the top goal scorer, Ángel Rodríguez, among the substitutes.

It was precisely Enric Gallego who suffered the toughest tackles from Basel, who brought their physicality to the forefront in the early stages of the game, much to Getafe's frustration. Gallego faced rough challenges from Albanian Taulant Xhaka and aggressive tackles, like the one from Paraguayan Omar Alderete.

Getafe, although not backing down, suffered a blow in the eighth minute with Basel's opening goal, scored by Brazilian Arthur Cabral, who took advantage of a defensive mix-up to chip the ball over Argentine goalkeeper Leandro Chichizola.

After that, nothing significant happened until almost the end of the first half. Kick and rush, shoves, many fouls, and little gameplay marked the passage of a match that suddenly took a turn with a clear chance for Hugo Duro, who found Basel goalkeeper Jonas Omlin in his way after heading a good pass from Francisco Portillo.

Then, Olivera came close to scoring the goal of the match from a free kick. Portillo lifted the ball to Moroccan Fayçal Fajr, who placed it over the wall towards the Uruguayan. However, he sent the ball just wide of Basel's goal with a volley.

And on the third attempt, Getafe got their reward. It was Paraguayan Blas Riveros who committed a clear penalty against Hugo Duro, which Jaime Mata converted. With that successful penalty, the score was 1-1 at halftime. Bordalás' men had achieved the justice they deserved.

The match took on a different tone after the break. The fight continued, but the excesses were left behind. Electricity, speed, and back-and-forth movements in both penalty areas took center stage. Undoubtedly, the match became more attractive for the spectators and chances soon followed.

The first chance fell to Fajr, who came close to scoring Getafe's second goal with a shot that hit the right post of Basel's goal. And the second chance fell to Basel, with the ball ending up in Chichizola's net after a great play by Silvan Widmer, which was finished off by Fabian Frei to make it 2-1 in favor of the Swiss team.

Basel's goal did not discourage Getafe, who maintained their insistence on getting an equalizer. Maksimovic came close with a shot that hit the post after a good cross from the right flank by Portillo. It was the clearest opportunity until the last fifteen minutes when Brazilian Robert Kenedy, Ángel, and Nyom entered the field.

With three forwards and a very direct player like Kenedy, Getafe searched for the equalizer without success. Ángel had a goal disallowed for a non-existent offside. Without VAR until the round of 16, justice could not be served.

In the end, Getafe fell just short of success but did not lose their second battle against Basel. However, they have not been defeated in the war yet. They are still second in their group, level on points with Russian team Krasnodar, whom they will face in the final matchday for a chance to secure a spot in the round of 16.