Features
JUE 23.07.2015
- The stadium takes its name from former footballer Alfonso Perez. Curiously, the ex-footballer never once played on this pitch, nor faced Getafe, nor even once pulled on the "azulona" shirt. He was, however, the most famous sportsperson to come from the Getafe suburb of Madrid, so after a popular vote, he was awarded the name of the stadium.
- Getafe FC christened their stadium with a match against Talavera on the 30th of August, 1998.
- While the 30th of August saw the first match, the first official game was not played until the 2nd of September of the same year. This was a tournament which featured Club Atletico de Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Feyenoord.
- In 2004/05, Getafe FC played their first match in the top flight, losing out 2-1 to Mallorca. This was the first match of La Liga BBVA played in this stadium.
- The first goal in European competition scored in this stadium was by Ikechukwu Uche, against FC Twente.
- El Coliseum is in the top 50 largest stadiums of Spain, with a capacity of 17 700
- Previously, Getafe played their home games in the mythical Estadio de Las Margaritas. Then, after this was demolished and whilst waiting for the completion of El Coliseum, the Madrid squad played their home games at El Juan de la Cierva.
- In 2010, el Coliseum Alfonso Perez hosted the final of the women’s UEFA Champions League between FCC Turbine Potsdam of Germany, and Olympique de Lyon of France
- One of the ‘azulon’ team’s most glorious nights was back in 2007. El Coliseum played host to a Barcelona team holding an aggregate advantage of 5-2 from the first leg. However, with goals from Javier Casquero, Vivar Dorado and Dani Guiza (2) Getafe pulled off an incredible come back, eliminating Barcelona and putting themselves into the final of La Copa Del Rey.
- Another of the most memorable games for Getafe fans was a 3-3 draw against FC Bayern Munich. It was the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup where the ‘Azulon’ almost made history by qualifying for the semi-finals against the German giants.
© LALIGA - 2015