Depay scores as Barca squeeze past Getafe

Barcelona did just enough to get the three points against a Getafe side who gave it their best shot. Sergi Roberto gave Koeman's men the perfect start after just two minutes, but Sandro Ramirez made it 1-1 with 18 minutes on the clock after a lovely one-two with Carles Alena, but Memphis Depay's goal on the half hour ended up proving to be the difference. 

It was a far from impressive performance from the Catalan giants, but it was just enough to get the job done. They now go into the international break with seven points from three games while Getafe remain pointless. Getafe gave a good account of themselves against Barca, but their lack of quality in the final third was their problem. 

Koeman named five changes from the draw at Athletic Bilbao as Pedri was rested and Pique was injured and that allowed the likes of Emerson and Araujo to start while Ter Stegen returned to the starting XI after injury. Before Getafe had time to get settled, Barca were in lead. Memphis Depay passed to Alba on the far side, his low cross saw Braithwaite feign to shoot with his foot and Sergi Roberto behind him scored. 

It was the perfect start for the Catalans and they seemed to be controlling the contest until Getafe suddenly levelled. New signing Jankto passed to Sandro and he played a nice one-two with Alena before beating Ter Stegen. The fact Sandro did not hold back in his celebration despite his Barca past led to him getting booed for the rest of the contest. 

Getafe were trying to match Barca, but the hosts have extra quality going forward and they were soon back ahead. Frenkie de Jong passed to Depay who got into the box and moved one way and then the other before beating Soria to his right. There was little else to report in the first half apart from keeper Ter Stegen getting caught in the head by Enes Unal, but fortunately, the German was able to carry on. 

The second period saw Michel's men pressing for an equaliser, and Jankto and Maksimovic both tested the goalie in the first 15 minutes while Mitrovic headed wide of the goal. However, they struggled to truly have a glorious opportunity despite bringing on the likes of Jaime Mata to try and turn the situation around. 

At the other end, Barca had few dangerous attacks and they lost Braithwaite to a leg injury 15 minutes from time, something which will no doubt concern them. Despite their few opportunities, Barca actually came the closest to a goal when Ronald Araujo had the ball in the back of the net seven minutes from time, but Sergio Busquets was clearly offside. It was a case of job done for Barca while Getafe were beaten, but not disgraced.

 

August 29, 2021