Barcelona versus Getafe – 11 Feb, 2018 – Opinion on the Laliga Match



Barcelona versus Getafe – 11 Feb, 2018 – Opinion on the Laliga Match






Barcelona faced Getafe at the Camp Nou with a host of forced changes at the back. Due to the injuries to Pique and Vermaelen and the suspension of Umtiti, Valverde was forced to bring in Digne as the right back and debutant Yerry Mina as center back. Alba, Sergi Roberto, Busquets and Rakitic were to help out in defense. Iniesta was rested while Coutinho and Alcacer were given starts.

While Getafe was more about defending stoutly in their own half, they also attacked on the breaks with Shibasaki being the main aggressor. Barcelona had majority of the possession, but they looked out of sorts and were unable to put together cohesive moves in attack. Moreover everyone looked tired and they were at the receiving end of some very rough tackles which the referee magnanimously ignored much to the relief of Getafe. While Damien Suarez was excellent, Bruno was clumsy and lucky not to be sent off despite several awful challenges. The guy was not even shown a yellow card - that’s some refereeing indeed. Surprisingly, the two guys at the back - Yerry Mina and Digne - despite a few stutters did an excellent job. They were fantastically supported by the consistent Ter Stegen.

Iniesta, Dembele and Paulinho came in for Coutinho, Alcacer and Busquets in the 2nd half. Barcelona did put up a better show.  The Getafe goalkeeper Guaita was forced to make some excellent saves by Suarez, Messi and Yerry Mina. To add to their misery, the linesman made some very poor offside calls against Barcelona. Getafe held on doggedly despite being stretched by an aggressive Barcelona. In the final minute, Getafe almost scored from a free kick by Antunes, but strongman Stegen managed to tip it over, to end the game at 0-0. There was also too much of time wasting by Getafe which was left uncontrolled by the generous referee.

Overall it was a frustrating game and a disappointing performance from the league leaders. There was a lack of energy which was understandable after their tightly packed schedule. But there were also some positives to take home from this game for Barcelona and Valverde

Sergi Roberto was relentless and energetic on the right.

Ter Stegen was imposing despite the new combo at the back.

Digne, for once, looked very comfortable as the Right back. He was a revelation in defense as well as in linking up with Sergi. He and Semedo could be alternately used in this position.

New kid Yerry Mina put up a strong showing at the back and the giant defender had the knack to find the ball during the corner kicks which would be a huge boost for Barcelona in set pieces. Can’t wait to see Mina’s famed goal celebration in Barca jersey.  He could prove to be a good alternative along with Vermaelen, for the much used Umtiti and Pique.  

It was a mistake to bring in Dembele instead of Alcacer. Returning from injury Dembele looked fragile and lacked confidence. He seemed to lose his footing and gave away the ball way too often. But whenever he did well, it was great to watch.

The talented and eager Coutinho must also be settled in slowly. Neymar took almost a year to settle into some kind of rhythm when he came in for Barcelona.

I truly hope that the promising Dembele, Coutinho and and Yerry Mina are given the required time by the fans. It’s a Fab Four in the making upfront and it would definitely shine wonderfully for Barca.

Finally, I want the referee - David Fernández Borbalán - supervising the next Laliga match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and see whether he treats the two Madrid teams the way he treated FC Barcelona in this game.

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