Tottenham defender Jan Paul van Hecke criticized the physical nature of Getafe’s play during a behind-closed-doors friendly match at the Spurs training ground. The LaLiga side, known for their tough approach, drew a 1-1 result against Tottenham in a 70-minute encounter, with Conor Gallagher equalizing after Alberto Risco gave Getafe an early lead.

Van Hecke described the intensity of Getafe’s challenges as excessive for a friendly, suggesting that in a competitive match the Spanish team’s behavior could have resulted in multiple red cards. “Sometimes it is not necessary, especially in a normal game maybe they have two or three red cards,” he said. “We knew beforehand that they can do it. But then it’s a friendly, so sometimes you think maybe a bit less.”

Despite the rough play, Van Hecke acknowledged the need for Tottenham to match their intensity. “If you don’t put in your foot, then they are going to win it,” he said. “If that’s what the game asks, you also need to put your foot in and battle with them — otherwise they win the battles. That’s what you don’t want.” He added that the heated moments in the game, including shoving incidents, were often a reaction to Getafe’s physicality. “If you get kicked, then you’re going to react,” Van Hecke said.

One of Tottenham’s major summer signings, Sandro Tonali, who joined for £92.5 million, appeared particularly frustrated by the confrontations late in the match. Van Hecke, who also arrived this summer for a reported £52 million from Brighton, played a key role in Tottenham’s defensive efforts during the fixture.

The encounter offered a glimpse into the challenges Tottenham may face adapting to the Premier League’s competitive demands ahead of the new season, highlighting the physical readiness required to contend with aggressive opponents both in England and abroad.