While European powerhouses Chelsea, Juventus and Bayern Munich lead their domestic leagues, humble Getafe are top of the pile in Spain. The modest Madrid-based side assumed leadership of the Primera Liga for the third time this season following a scintillating 5-2 victory over Real Zaragoza on Sunday.There is little time for Bernd Schuster’s side to celebrate, however, as they face a tricky away game against improving Real Sociedad on Thursday.Getafe, who only made it to the top flight for the first time last year, lead the table by a point from Celta Vigo and have lost just one game this season.They are third highest scorers in the league behind Real Madrid and Barcelona and have delighted their fans with a blend of compact and attack-minded football.Former German international Schuster is not getting carried away by his team’s success, however. ‘‘The important thing for us is that we keep our feet on the ground and focus on our goal of staying up’’,” he told El Mundo Deportivo on Tuesday. “It is where we are at the end of the season that counts.“I hope we end up being in a comfortable position because right now with the points we are earning we are trying to make sure we don’T have to endure difficult Times later on.”Real Sociedad should provide the leaders with a stiff test as the Basque side have recovered their confidence after a shaky start and are on a three-match unbeaten run.Real Madrid, who went top for the first time in 18 months after their 3-0 win over city rivals Atletico Madrid just over a week ago, dropped to third following a 2-1 home defeat by Valencia.DIFFICULT TRIPSThey now face traditionally one of their most difficult away games at Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday (kickoff 2000 GMT).Real have not won at the Riazor for 13 years and are running low on resources with injuries to leading striker Ronaldo, Julio Baptista and Michel Salgado and the suspension of David Beckham and Thomas Gravesen after their red cards against Valencia.The club has appealed against Beckham’s dismissal and the England captain will travel to Galicia but it would be a surprise if the red card, shown for applauding the referee’s decision to book him for dissent, was overturned.If Beckham is unavailable, coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo may push Ivan Helguera into midfield, giving Jonathan Woodgate another chance in central Defence.Barcelona are now just two points adrift of Real after an impressive 3-0 win over Osasuna, but they too face a difficult test at home to Malaga on Wednesday (1830 GMT).The Andalucians are on a high after going one better than Chelsea and hitting five past a sorry-looking Real Betis at the weekend.Barca will be without right back Juliano Belletti and influential midfielder Deco, but if forwards Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’O show the form they did against Osasuna the Catalans will be difficult to stop.Betis will be looking to restore their wounded pride after their mauling at Malaga when they host improving Villarreal, while bottom club Real Mallorca entertain high-flying Celta.
