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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