Getafe narrowly deserved their win over AaB in Aalborg, but it was far from easy. After starting well, AaB were allowed back into the game, missing a few chances, before another positive spell just after the interval. After going 2-0 up, though, AaB were denied only by the goalkeeping splendour of Pato Abbondanzieri as they quested for an equaliser which, while perhaps undeserved, would not have been a major surprise.

The hosts went with a packed central midfield, perhaps having watched Getafe's recent Liga matches, attempting to close things down centrally. This didn't always pay off, and it meant that Pablo Hernandez in particular was allowed to rove down the wing. For their own part, AaB attacked directly, their passing play quite paradoxically being broken up due to their own crowded nature, and in this sense they did occasonally trouble a slightly off-form Cata Diaz.

But the early stages were all Getafe, Laudrup's men eager to impress in their boss' own country, and they duly scored an early goal when Manu was able to break out wide and cross to the near post; there slid in Pablo Hernandez to score with his chet, bizarrely enough. It seemed as if an easy win was on the cards, but a very determined Aalborg side - who were very angry with Rizzoli's refereeing performance - fought back against a Getafe outfit that was perhaps growing complacent, but their early long balls didn't really pay off. Towards half time, though, they improved, and the very impressive Prica brought out the best in Pato.

After the interval, though, Geta again started strongly, Manu looking very accomplished at this stage (although he was to fade later.) But towards the hour mark, AaB were attacking more thanks to some good substitutions; feeling the wind changing, on came Cortes to shore things up for the visitors. Overall, despite AaB's fightback, Geta looked like having more to them, and when Granero clipped home an absolutely sumptuous lob from outside the area 77 minutes in - a goal from little - things looked sealed. But a somewhat complacent Getafe again let AaB forward, and on more than one occasion Pato (who well and truly returned to form here) had to save them. In the end, Prica was able to rise about Cata Diaz to score a close range header, but that wasn't enough for the draw.

Getafe still need a point to guarantee qualification; they face Anderlecht at home on the 19th. AaB, for their part, are out, but their game with Hapoel ironically enough means a lot for Geta, who would go through automatically if the Danes managed a point or better in Israel. On this showing, it's evident why one side is still in the competition and the other isn't; there wasn't that much between them in terms of performance, but it was very, very clear which side was better technically (and, indeed, tactically.)