Just hours after Getafe secured only the second victory in the club’s history at Santiago Bernabéu, defender Domingos Duarte spoke with Pedro Castelo from Flashscore about the win, his future, and life under coach José Bordalás.

Speaking less than 24 hours after the triumph, the 30-year-old was still brimming with pride.

“There’s not much more to say, it’s a really happy day for all of us. It’s a historic achievement,” Duarte said. “It’s only the second time Getafe has won at the Bernabéu, so it’s a day for everyone to be proud. But we already know how Bordalás is (laughs). The next day, he’s already thinking about the next match. We can enjoy it for a few hours, but that’s about it.”

When asked about the toughest part of the match, Duarte highlighted the defensive challenge.

“Holding out for the whole match without conceding a goal against a team with Real Madrid’s attacking power.”

Stability and Ambition

Reflecting on Getafe’s consistency this season, Duarte credited the team’s competitive mindset.

“It’s about trying to compete in every match. We know our strengths and weaknesses compared to other teams, but we go into every game aiming to win, keeping calm, and knowing we can compete against anyone.”

He added that Bordalás constantly pushes the squad to aim higher.

“There’s always that ambition to achieve more. Staying up is the most important thing, and once you’ve got enough points to guarantee survival, you can start looking a bit higher. But Bordalás is always pushing us to finish as high as possible.”

Bordalás’ Playing Style

Duarte addressed the criticism often directed at Bordalás’ style of football.

“Honestly, it’s mostly just excuses from teams that can’t beat us. Every time we win, there’s always someone who says it’s because we stop the game a lot, there are too many interruptions, too many fouls, and so on. I think every team plays with the tools they have, and everything we do is within the rules, so I don’t see much room for debate.”

Personal Reflections and Future

On a personal level, Duarte reflected on his four seasons at Getafe.

“I’m happy here, I’m playing, which is the most important thing, in a major league like LaLiga. It’s true my contract is ending, I don’t know what will happen, and right now the priority is to secure survival. After that, I’ll start thinking more about my future.”

Having spent eight seasons in Spain, including Deportivo La Coruña and Granada, Duarte joked about his fluency in Spanish.

“It’s actually easier for me to do interviews in Spanish than in Portuguese now (laughs).”

Looking back on his career in Spain, Duarte admitted he hadn’t expected to find such long-term stability but was proud of his achievements.

“Of course you always believe you have what it takes to play at the highest level. But looking back, I probably didn’t expect to spend so many years in such a big league, but I’m happy about it, proud of myself, and I want more.”

Facing the Best

Duarte praised the technical quality of LaLiga and the challenges it presents for a centre-back.

“Almost every weekend, you’re up against teams with world-class strikers. You have to stay focused for the full 90 or 95 minutes, because any small mistake or lapse can cost you.”

When asked about the toughest opponent he has faced, he did not hesitate.

“In every interview I’ve done, I’ve always said the same: Karim Benzema. He was a very technical forward who often dropped deep, not just as a reference point, but almost like a futsal pivot. For me, he was the hardest opponent because it’s tough to mark someone like that.”