Europe could come as a pleasant distraction for Martin Jol, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, but for his counterpart in this evening’s opening match in group G, the Uefa Cup has already taken on something of a secondary role. Michael Laudrup, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfield player, breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday when Getafe secured their first league win of the season, although victory against Real Murcia was not enough to lift them from the relegation places.

The Dane had succeeded Bernd Schuster, the German who presided over the best seasons in their history before he moved to coach Real Madrid in the summer, replacing the departed Fabio Capello. Schuster led Getafe to the Copa del Rey and qualification for Europe for the first time.

Laudrup has had a tough start to his tenure with five league defeats, but they did outplay Real Madrid in defeat, and have also been unlucky with several injuries. “If we had been playing badly and without the style that the club and I want, I would have been sacked,” Laudrup said. “If I had been in Italy, where they only take into account the results, I would have been sacked some time ago.”

Angel Torres, the Getafe president, said last week that he would have rested players tonight, to concentrate on the league, had they not won on Sunday. “Whenever I have spoken with the president, he has given me his support,” Laudrup said. “But I know the coach is the first to be sacrificed if the team do not get out of their crisis.”

How they line up

Tottenham Hotspur (possible; 4-4-2): R Cerny – P Chimbonda, M Dawson, Y Kaboul, P Stalteri – A Lennon, J Jenas, T Huddlestone, S Malbranque – R Keane, D Berbatov.

Getafe (possible; 4-4-2): R Abbondanzieri – D Cortes, D Belenguer, D Diaz, L Licht – E Granero, R de la Red, J Casquero, P Nacho – Manu, B Kepa.

Referee: K Kircher (Germany).

Television: Live on ITV4 from 7pm (kick-off 7.45pm).