Match Report: Getafe 1-2 Barcelona
In a pretty cagey encounter against Getafe, Barcelona managed to comeback after being a goal down at half-time to take 3 points home and retain their 100% start to the campaign. Ernesto Valverde gave Ousmane Dembele his first start in La Liga but the young French superstar had a forgettable Liga debut as he had to be substituted for Deulofeu at the 26th minute mark after sustaining an injury. Sergi Roberto replaced Nelson Semedo at right-back in the line-up.
Getafe got off to a decent start and created more chances than Barcelona in the attacking third. Marc-Andre ter Stegen produced a great save to deny Jorge Molina Vidal, who looked so close to breaking the deadlock. Getafe looked sharp and went further close to take the lead as Antunes found Molina at the far post. But he shot wayward from close range.
Lionel Messi also came close to giving Barca the lead after he forced Guaita to make a brilliant save from an excellent freekick. The home side took the lead in the 38th minute after Shibasaki struck a wonderful volley, a potential goal of the month contender. Barcelona ended the first half 1-0 down after a frustrating show.
Barcelona looked off-colour, with Luis Suarez disappointing in the match. Sergi Roberto showed moments of spark and forced Getafe goalkeeper Guaita to make a save in the 57th minute. Roberto was also involved in Barca’s equaliser at the 62nd-minute mark, after he squared the ball to Denis Suarez from the right wing, who slotted the ball beautifully at the far post.
Denis Suarez had a good game after coming on as a second half substitute in place of Iniesta and justified why he clearly deserves more minutes.
Valverde brought on Paulinho for Ivan Rakitic with 12 minutes remaining in the game. The change paid off, as the €40million signing got on at the end of a Leo Messi through ball to nudge past one defender and score his first goal for Barcelona – a match winner at the 84th minute of the game. Credits to Ernesto Valverde for his changes in the second half which saved the game for Barcelona.
As always, the fans were active on Twitter as Barcelona squeezed out a win:
Valverde shows he’s the first Barcelona coach since Tito that knows how to properly make substitutions. Won the match.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) September 16, 2017
Games like this are crucial. When you play like shit and nothing is going your way but still manage to win. Credit to Valverde for his subs.
— Josip (@jperkovic93) September 16, 2017
If Denis Suarez doesnt start next match or isnt called up it’ll be a horrible. Denis is so talented & usually has an influence on the game
— El Máestro (@ElMaestrofcb) September 16, 2017
Umtiti is by far our best defender this season. He has the potential to become the world’s best CB, even though that depends on many things.
— Josip (@jperkovic93) September 16, 2017
Barca should really have an idea about which forward they want to pursue next summer, Suarez declining and is not showing any positive signs
— El Máestro (@ElMaestrofcb) September 16, 2017
Paulinho: “So happy to have scored the winner. It was a tough game and the most important thing was the three points” #GetafeBarça
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 16, 2017
That was a hard fought win for @FCBarcelona. Keep up the winning momentum boys❤️ #ForçaBarça #GetafeBarça
— Yashod (@Yassa_97) September 16, 2017
