At the start of the league, FC Barcelona faced FC Getafe away – a duel that the Catalans have not enjoyed much in the recent past. Barça last met Alfonso Perez in 2019 at the Coliseum, since then there has been a 0-1 and two zero numbers.
It was easy to see from José Bordalas’ line-up that the hosts’ approach against the Catalans would be defensive again this season. With Djené, Alvarez, Duarte, Mitrovic, Iglesias and Damian, there were six nominal defenders in the first eleven.
At FC Barcelona, Xavi relied on the two newcomers Gündogan and Oriol Romeu in midfield alongside De Jong. While the latter played defensively, the German international found himself in attacking left midfield alongside Pedri. Lewandowski gave the nine, Raphinha held the right flank. On defence, Araujo filled the vacant right-back role alongside Koundé, Christensen and attacking Baldé.
Barça lucky early on
Gündogan had the first chance early in the game, got the ball after a cross from Raphinha – who was also offside – but not under the goal (2nd). Shortly afterwards, however, Barcelona were lucky when Latasa eluded the defense, but under slight pressure from Koundé in a promising position in front of the goal struck an air hole (4th).
Afterwards, the Azulones mainly focused on destroying the Catalans’ game as much as possible. In addition to a tough pace in the duels, there were always fouls off the ball. This initially had the effect that Barça hardly developed offensively. Oriol Romeu had the best chance from a distance (26′). It also became dangerous after a shot by Raphinha, which Soria parried. The ball bounced off Mitrovic’s leg and from there onto the post (36′).
Elbow by Raphinha
Shortly thereafter, however, Raphinha made life much more difficult for his team. The winger allowed himself to be so provoked by the rough pace of the hosts that he threw an elbow at Alvarez and was sent off (42′).
In the second half, Xavi then sacrificed centre-back Christensen and brought in winger Abde, who was preferred to Ferran Torres and Fati. From then on, De Jong dropped into central defense alongside Koundé. Barça remained in control of the game even when they were outnumbered, even if the hosts tried a little more offensively with a chain of four instead of five. Abde approached with a volley (53rd), but missed.
Mata puts it on ten against ten, Xavi also flies
However, the shortfall in the second round did not last long. In a duel with the advanced Araujo, Mata was clearly too late in the 57th minute and consequently saw his second yellow card of the game – and suddenly it was ten against ten. Shortly thereafter, Lewandowski showed up for the first time, but failed with his header at defender Alvarez (62nd).
Then referee Soto Grado drew the third red card. Xavi claimed a free-kick and a red card against Djené on the touchline after Abde went down on his way to goal in a tackle against him. There was no free kick, but the coach had to go to the stands for it (71′).
Barça tried it in the final stages with the very young players. Yamal, Gavi and Fati came into play and ran into a deep Getafe. Abde failed at the side netting (74′), Fati put the ball over the crossbar (80′) after Yamal’s preliminary work, but there was not much more to come.
It gets turbulent deep in injury time
The highly dramatic climax came deep in injury time. First, Araujo was hit in the penalty area. However, the video evidence previously discovered a handball by Gavi, which is why there was no penalty (90 + 14). Getafe countered in direct return: First, Gavi blocked a shot from Portu in dire need, then Lozano missed the corner kick completely freely from five meters (90+15). Only then was it over.
This means that FC Barcelona have not scored in Getafe for the fourth time in a row and have to accept the first small setback right at the start of the league. The Azulones are challenged in Girona next Sunday (5.30 p.m.). FC Barcelona will then host FC Cadiz at 19.30 at the Olympic Stadium, the alternative venue while the home Camp Nou is being renovated.
