Getafe 0-0 Barcelona: Raphinha sent off for Barca in goalless draw

Getafe and Barcelona shared the points in their opening La Liga fixture of the season at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

In the first half Getafe successfully frustrated Barcelona with their solid defensive shape and physical play.

Barcelona dominated possession but failed to get their key attackers and midfield players into the game, mostly circulating possession deep in midfield.

The biggest chance came through new signing Oriol Romeu when he dribbled past two players and shot narrowly wide of the post.

Tensions kept rising throughout the first half with Barcelona players becoming increasingly frustrated with Getafe’s off-the-ball challenges that were going without punishment. It all spilled over in the 42nd minute when Raphinha was sent off after elbowing Gaston Alvarez who tried to block the Brazilian’s run in behind.

Getafe started the second half well, looking to take advantage of their numerical superiority on the pitch but couldn’t take the lead.

Their hunt for an opener didn’t last long as numbers were levelled in the 57th minute when Jaime Mata was shown a second yellow card.

With it now being a 10 against 10, Barcelona looked to press on and find an opener but their attempts were consistently thwarted by Getafe’s solid defence.

After Barca coach Xavi had seen sent to the stands for dissent, there was late drama. The referee was sent to the monitor in the 104th minute to check for a penalty, but ruled that Gavi had committed a handball before any possible foul - as Getafe breathed a sigh of relief.

Another draw makes it three in a row between these sides at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Getafe have proven to be somewhat of a bogey team for Barcelona with their solid defence and physical approach to games. A well-earned point for Jose Bordalas’ side and a performance that will set the tone for how they will want to approach matches at home against bigger sides. As for Barcelona, it will be a disappointing way for them to start the season as their attack failed to click in the final third and they struggled to create chances throughout the match.

Despite Barcelona’s struggles one of their bright sparks was Oriol Romeu who made his second debut for the club after being signed from Girona this summer. The La Masia graduate was brought in to replace Sergio Busquets and did an adequate job starting play from deep and looking for Barcelona’s wide men. Romeu even came closest in the first half as he showed off his dribbling skills before firing just wide. It was an encouraging debut for the returning Barcelona man, and Xavi will hope that he can build on this performance.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7, Araujo 7, Kounde 7, Christensen 6, Balde 6, Romeu 8, Gundogan 6, De Jong 6, Pedri 7, Lewandowski 6, Raphinha 5.

Subs: Abde 6, Lamal 7, Gavi 6, Fati 6.

Getafe: Soria 7, Suarez 6, Duarte 7, Mitrovic 6, Alvarez 6, Djene 7, Alena 6, Maksimovic 7, Iglesias 6, Latasa 5, Mata 5.

Subs: Portu 7, Mayoral 6, Lozano 5.

26' - CLOSE FROM ROMEU A great run from Oriol Romeu sees him dribble past two Getafe players before firing just wide of the post.

42' - RAPHINHA SENT OFF! The Brazilian is sent off after an elbow to Gaston Alvarez's head in an off-the-ball challenge

57' - MATA SHOWN A SECOND YELLOW The Getafe attacker is sent for an early shower after a poor challenge on Araujo.

71' - XAVI SHOWN RED! Xavi is shown a red card after complaining about a challenge on Abde. The Barcelona manager is visibly confused by the decision.

81' - INSTANT CHANCE FOR FATI Lamine Yamal picks up the ball on the right wing and drives inside before chipping a nice pass into Ansu Fati but he fires over the bar.

90' - NO PENALTY GIVEN No penalty is given after the referee spots a Gavi handball in the build up.