Getafe 0-2 Barcelona: 5 players who impressed for the Blaugrana | La Liga 2019/20

Getafe CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga
Getafe CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Despite being without the services of captain Lionel Messi, Barcelona did enough to register a 2-0 victory over Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Goals from Luis Suarez and Junior Firpo were enough to give Ernesto Valverde's men all three points and the win sees the Catalans climb up to third on the table.

In what has been an indifferent start to their title defence, a lot of Barcelona players have been guilty of not pulling their weight so far, but against Getafe, some of them rose to the occasion and played their part in helping the Blaugrana get the victory.

In this piece, we shall be highlighting five players who impressed for Barcelona in their clash with Getafe.

#5 Junior Firpo

Junior Firpo scored his first goal for Barcelona against Getafe
Junior Firpo scored his first goal for Barcelona against Getafe

Junior Firpo arrived Barcelona from Real Betis over the summer, but injury troubles slowed down his integration with the team.

However, a hamstring injury to first-choice left-back Jordi Alba offered Firpo an opportunity in the starting lineup.

Having entered the fray from the bench against Dortmund, it was less than an ideal full debut for him four days later, as he was culpable of making an error inside the first 65 seconds that led to the opening goal in the 2-0 defeat to Granada.

He was once more deployed from the start against Getafe, but this time around, the 23-year-old gave a more assured performance and was a real threat going forward for the Catalans.

He got his debut goal and Barcelona's second of the afternoon when he was on hand to turn into the back of the net after Getafe goalkeeper David Soria parried a Carles Perez shot straight into his path.

Firpo also starred defensively and made one interception and two tackles to help Barcelona keep their first clean sheet of the season in LaLiga.

Also check out: Premier League Table La Liga Table Champions League Schedule

#4 Arthur Melo

Arthur dictated proceedings from midfield
Arthur dictated proceedings from midfield

The arrival of Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona over the summer meant that Brazilian international Arthur has been less assured of his place in the team.

However, the 23-year-old is a class act with the ball at his feet, and on occasions when he has played, his abilities have shone through.

Arthur was deployed on the right of a midfield three against Getafe, and he put up a brilliant performance, instigating attacks with his pristine passing and possession play.

He completed 89.8% of his attempted passes (which was the highest for those who played above 15 minutes in the match) and played five accurate long balls while also completing five dribbles.

#3 Frenkie de Jong

Getafe CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga
Getafe CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Frenkie de Jong has played in every position across Barcelona's midfield, and at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, he started on the opposite flank to Arthur in midfield.

The Dutch international dictated play for Barcelona, and also helped link up the defence with attack effectively. In total, De Jong played four long balls, of which three were accurate, while he also completed three dribbles against Getafe.

He posted rather low numbers in the passing department, completing just 38 passes at a rather poor ratio of 76.3% accuracy, but that took nothing away from his performance through the middle.

#2 Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez opened the scoring against Getafe with a lobbed finish
Luis Suarez opened the scoring against Getafe with a lobbed finish

The last few years have not been the best of times for Luis Suarez, as the 32-year-old has come in for criticism over multiple issues including his added weight and laborious play.

In the continued absence of Lionel Messi, most of the goalscoring burden has been placed on Luis Suarez' shoulders, and having missed some matches at the start of the season due to injury, he marked his return to fitness with two goals from the bench in the game against Valencia.

Against Getafe, the Uruguayan international showed great technique and composure to expertly lift a long ball by ter Stegen over David Soria and into the back of the net to put Barcelona 1-0 up in the 41st minute.

Though he could not add to his tally, Suarez continually put the Getafe defence on the backfoot, and ended the game with four shots of which two were on target.

#1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Ter Stegen became the first Barcelona goalie to register an assist in the 21st century
Ter Stegen became the first Barcelona goalie to register an assist in the 21st century

Barcelona began the game against Getafe in laboured fashion, and despite controlling a lion's share of possession, they struggled to break down a resolute Getafe defence.

Given the Catalan's lack of ideas and creativity, it came as no surprise when they opened the scoring in a less than sublime fashion.

Over the years, Barcelona have earned a reputation of playing sleek and attractive football, but there was nothing aesthetic about their opening goal against Getafe.

In scenes totally unfamiliar to Barcelona's playing style, Marc-Andre ter Stegen launched a long ball over the top of the Getafe midfield, and Luis Suarez showed great technique to lob past David Soria to put Barcelona 1-0 up.

It was route one football, but not that Barcelona nor ter Stegen cared much, as it broke the deadlock and got the Blaugrana on the way to getting all three points.

The long kick was of particular importance to the German goalkeeper, as it put him in the record books as the first Barcelona goalkeeper to record an assist in the 21st century.

Quick Links

Edited by Sai Teja