Having won just one of their last four games against Getafe, the pressure was on Barcelona ahead of Saturday’s clash at Montjuic. After all, the Catalans had only scored one goal against the opposition in four previous meetings.
A hard-fought clash was always on the cards, especially considering the clash of styles expected on the night. However, the game that eventually unfolded had no abundance of goals or action.
As expected before the game, Xavi made some big rotations on the night. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen started in goal and had Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo pairing up for defence. Joao Cancelo and Jules Kounde started as the full-backs on the night.
Andreas Christensen held onto his position as the pivot and was joined by Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield. Robert Lewandowski was joined by Raphinha and Joao Felix in attack, giving Lamine Yamal a much-needed rest.
The clash in Catalonia got underway with the visitors getting the first kick of the ball. Right from the get-go, Xavi’s men looked inspired to push forward in attack as Cancelo attempted an outrageous flick in just the second minute.
Quite to the surprise of many, however, Getafe did not sit deep and defend. Jose Bordalas’ men looked to actively push forward in numbers and deployed a high press, creating problems in Barcelona’s initial buildup and looking to counter with balls over the top.
Physical duels took over all over the field before the ten-minute mark, as Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo were brutally manhandled during the first corner kick of the game. Barcelona were on the front foot, but Getafe’s few chances from over the top appeared threatening.
It was only close to the fifteen-minute mark that the Blaugranas got into their passing rhythm, looking to dominate the proceedings. Five minutes later, the team had its opening goal.
Barcelona’s goal arose from a well-worked ball over the top, and it did not come as a surprise for the team to attempt it multiple times in the buildups prior to the goal.
In the successful attempt, it was Raphinha who brought Kounde’s long ball under control before dispatching it into the corner of the net from a difficult angle.
The goal only opened up Barcelona’s attacking flow, for the period that followed saw the hosts push forward with renewed intent. Lewandowski attempted another ball over the top in the 27th minute, but could not find his man.
The 28th minute saw the Azulgranas gifted yet another chance, this time falling to Ilkay Gundogan. Raphinha’s cross from the wing flew across the face of the goal and missed the German’s head by a fraction. Any contact would have certainly doubled the team’s lead.
Getafe marginally got back into the game after the half-hour mark, but Barcelona were the one creating the better chances.
Raphinha once again fired a well-worked cross into the box in the 35th minute only for Lewy to miss the attempt. In the following period, Felix and Raphinha continued to miss some big chances.
Perhaps the team’s biggest miss of the half came seconds before the half-time whistle. Through on goal and with only the goalkeeper to beat, Raphinha opted to go down the selfless route and lay the ball across for Felix.
His pass, however, was slightly heavy and wasted a clear-cut scoring chance.
Heading into the half-time break, Barcelona had their foot on the gas and were unlucky to not have a much bigger advantage. Bordalas, under pressure, had his work cut out to reform his system.
Getafe began the second half brilliantly, almost conjuring an equaliser in just the 5th minute of the second half. Luis Milla was the man with the chance, taking a bullet of a shot from long range only for Ter Stegen to tip it away.
Barcelona, meanwhile, punished the visitors at the other end just two minutes later. Gundogan did brilliantly to find Christensen’s perfectly timed run down the right flank.
The Danish star pulled the ball across the face of goal to find Felix who only had to tap it into the back. 2-0, and in control.
Robert Lewandowski buried his chance in the 57th minute with perfect precision, but the flag was raised for offside.
Nevertheless, the lead was extended to three at the hour mark. De Jong’s vertical run created the chance but the ball ended up at Raphinha’s feet in a difficult situation moments later. The Brazilian selflessly returned the ball to the Dutch star who buried it from a distance.
Fermin Lopez came on for Joao Felix seconds after Barcelona’s third goal.
Getafe wasted a massive chance in the 70th minute, but Barcelona always remained in the driver’s seat. Raphinha and Christensen came off for Vitor Roque and Oriol Romeu in the 76th minute.
Pedri and Hector Fort replaced Gundogan and Cancelo respectively with six minutes to go.
Despite the scoreline, Barcelona’s dominance on the night only grew. Vitor Roque could not make the most of his chance in the final minute of the game, but Fermin was there to capitalise on the rebound. A solid volley and the scoreline read four.
The win elevates the team to second place on the league table, five points behind Real Madrid and one point above Girona. Both teams have a game in hand, regardless.
Most importantly, the win brings the momentum back into the Catalans’ way with Athletic Club next on their calendar.
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