FC Barcelona were unable to get back on track in La Liga in their away game at Getafe. The dominant Catalans did not reward themselves and had to settle for a draw.
In the league, the Catalans had lost twice recently, but had won their last four competitive games – two each in the Supercopa and Copa del Rey – all together. After the 5-1 round of 16 victory against Real Betis, Barca coach Hansi Flick opted for three changes: Balde, Casado and Lewandowski started instead of Martin, de Jong and Dani Olmo (all on the bench).
The visitors went into the game against the 17th-placed team as clear favorites, and Getafe’s three-game winning streak had done nothing to change that. In the league, coach José Bordalas’ team had recently emerged victorious against UD Las Palmas (2-1).
Koundé offensive and hungry for goals
The Blaugrana took immediate control of the game, and it wasn’t long before they took the lead – which they did after just nine minutes. Koundé, who had advanced upfield, scored with a shot on the turn that flew over Getafe goalkeeper David Soria and into the net (9′).
The hosts didn’t create many chances after that, but Koundé’s enterprising approach play on the right-back position led to the next big chance for Barca. The Frenchman crossed to Raphinha at the second post, but the Brazilian only managed to hit the side netting from a tight angle (33′).
Raphinha misses, Arambarri equalizes
A tolerable miss? Not at all. Just a few moments later, the ball ended up in the net at the other end after Arambarri was in the right place at the right time and coolly took advantage of the rebound from Inaki Pena (34′). Considering the amount of time they had been playing, this was an extremely flattering equalizer at this point.
The result, however, would not change before the break, although it had become dicey again a few minutes before the final whistle. Lewandowski’s header, however, was missed by both Koundé and Araujo at the second post by centimeters (41).
Barca is looking for gaps
The second half began with two good opportunities – one on each side. After Inaki Pena had saved Arambarris’s low shot, Alderete blocked Lamine Yamal’s attempt in the Azulones’ box on the counterattack (47). It was a promising start to the second half, but no further significant opportunities followed.
Flick, who had already brought on de Jong for Casado at the restart, reacted and also brought Dani Olmo off the bench (62′). Barcelona continued to dominate, but largely in vain, looking for gaps in the opposing defense. It wasn’t until de Jong’s shot, which David Soria made a fine save on (80), that there was any real danger of scoring after a long time.
Different emotions after the final whistle
With the exception of another shot into the side netting by Raphinha (83′) and a few yellow cards, the final phase was ultimately uneventful, so that the home side – in contrast to the guests – were able to celebrate the point.
Barcelona, on the other hand, were only able to take limited advantage of league leaders Atletico Madrid’s slip-up in Leganes (0-1), but must now focus on the upcoming Champions League clash at Benfica Lisbon (Tuesday, 9 p.m.). Barca’s league campaign continues on Sunday evening against Valencia (9 p.m.), with Getafe visiting San Sebastian a few hours earlier (4:15 p.m.).