Barcelona 1-0 Getafe: Hosts extend La Liga lead as Pedri goal seals laboured win
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ByEurosport
Updated 22/01/2023 at 22:56 GMT
A Pedri goal in the first half was enough to clinch a 1-0 win for Barcelona over Getafe that sent the Catalan club six points clear on top of La Liga. The Spain international converted a Raphinha cross to clinch the win but it was a laboured performance from Xavi's side. Getafe couldn't take their chances when they came and are above the relegation zone only thanks to goal difference.
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Pedri’s first half strike earned a labouring Barcelona a 1-0 win over Getafe as they extended their lead at the top of La Liga to six points.
Xavi’s outfit were far from their best in the final third as they struggled to test opposition goalkeeper David Soria, but they did enough to pick up a seventh home league win in nine attempts.
The visitors showed little intent to get forward early on, instead sitting deep with a back five and sucking up any pressure. They did have a goal ruled out after four minutes though, with Borja Mayoral tucking home, only for Enes Unal to have been offside earlier in the move.
At the other end, Barca were generally reduced to shots from distance, as Soria comfortably denied Ousmane Dembele and Gavi. He was eventually beaten on 34-minutes though, with Raphinha capitalising on a defensive error and crossing to Pedri, who slid home.
Getafe should have equalised before the break though, gifted a glorious chance when Pedri passed straight to Mayoral, who charged through on goal before shooting straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The second half played out in a similar vein, with Quique Sánchez Flores’ refusing to change his gameplan, despite being a goal in arrears. In fairness, the defence were well drilled, frustrating a Barcelona side who lacked a touch of fluency in attack.
In truth, it was a bit of a damp squib after the break as the hosts had only a handful of chances, while Mayoral’s header, which went harmlessly wide, was the best opening for Getafe at the other end.
TALKING POINT - Barca win, but Lewandowski’s absence is notable
There’s no doubt that any team, even one as good as Barcelona, would miss a player as good as Robert Lewandowski, but they certainly lacked a focal figure in attack.
The Pole, who has scored 22 goals since his move to Camp Nou in the summer, missed out due to suspension, and it was telling how many times the likes of Raphinha and Dembele whipped crosses into the box, only for them to find a Getafe head.
They are the kind of situations when the striker would be sniffing out chances, but without him there, there was nobody to put the ball in the back of the net. Yes, Barca won, but they were a little labouring in attack and may have been punished by a better opposition.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Gavi (Barcelona). Few players shone from an attacking point-of-view, but Gavi was certainly one who stood out.
The 18-year old, who already has 17 Spain caps to his name, often comes to the fore because of his willingness to take matters into his own hands as he is always desperate for the ball.
On many occasions, the forward was the main attacking outlet, skipping into space and acting as playmaker, only to be hamstrung by a lack of options to pass to.
PLAYER RATINGS
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen 7; Roberto 6, Kounde 6, Christensen 6, Balde 6; Gavi 8, Busquets 7, Pedri 7; Dembele 8, Fati 7, Raphinha 7. Subs: Garcia 6, Alba 6, Kessie 6, Alonso n/a
GETAFE: Soria 7; Suarez 7, Djene 8, Duarte 7, Alderete 6, Iglesias 6; Alena 6, Milla 6, Algobia 6; Mayoral 5, Unal 5. Subs: Villar 6, Portu n/a, Seoane n/a, Latasa n/a, Alvarez n/a Subs:
KEY MOMENTS
4’ GOAL RULED OUT! Well, that wasn't in the script. Borja Mayoral has the ball in the back of the net after Enes Unal's shot is saved, but the latter had been offside when he was first played through
35’ GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 GETAFE (Pedri). Getafe are finally undone, and no surprise that it comes from down the left, where Barca have looked at their strongest. Raphinha whips in a cross after the visitors cheaply give the ball away, and Pedri is on hand to stab home from close range.
41’ MAYORAL MUST SCORE. Oh that's a terrible finish. A shocker of a pass by Pedri, back into his defence, or that was the intent, only Mayoral runs on to it and is through on goal. He has to score, it's one-on-one, but he shoots straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who had rushed off his line
86’ KESSIE SHOT SAVED. The substitute does well to work the ball on to his right foot, but his thumping shot is saved low down by Soria
90+3’ LATASA SHOT SAVED. Getafe win a free-kick just inside the Barca half. It's floated in for substitute Latasa, who sends his towering header straight at ter Stegen
KEY STATS
- Barcelona remain unbeaten in 18 home games against Getafe
- Getafe have now played nine away league fixtures this season, netting just seven times
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