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Barcelona failed to make the most of a golden opportunity earlier today and slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Getafe in what was a difficult away fixture. The Catalans could have moved above Real Madrid ahead of El Clasico next week but now find themselves on an even footing with their arch-rivals.
Barcelona's struggles away from home came back to haunt them today as the Catalans looked uninspired for large periods of the game. Getafe did well to win the ball back on several occasions and gave an excellent account of themselves against Ronald Koeman's side.
Barcelona's struggles against Getafe will worry Ronald Koeman
Getafe showed plenty of initiative in the opening stages of the game and looked threatening on the counter. The home side created its fair share of chances with the likes of Marc Cucurella and Cucho Hernandez troubling Barcelona's back-line.
Barcelona grew into the game, however, and some positive play from Sergino Dest and Pedri saw a Lionel Messi cannon off the post. Barcelona did look dangerous towards the end of the first half and should have taken the lead after Antoine Griezmann latched on to Pedri's pass but blazed his shot over the bar.
The second half followed a similar pattern as Barcelona struggled to break down a well-drilled Getafe side. The home team won a penalty close to the hour-mark and Jaime Mata stepped up to the plate to give Getafe a shock lead.
Barcelona pushed for an equaliser towards the end of the game with Lionel Messi coming close just before stoppage-time. Getafe held on with admirable grit and courage, however, to condemn Barcelona to their first defeat of the season.
Getafe Player Ratings
David Soria - 7/10
David Soria had surprisingly little to do in Getafe's goal and was an imposing presence when called upon. The shot-stopper had a robust defence in front of him and was reliable with the ball at his feet.
Erick Cabaco - 6.5/10
Erick Cabaco often found himself as the sweeper in Getafe's deep block and will have been pleased with the exceptional work done in front of him against Barcelona. The defender was effective when called upon and had a positive outing.
Djene Dakonam - 7.5/10
Djene Dakonam had an excellent game against Barcelona and won most of his duels with the opposition's enigmatic forwards. The centre-back also won the penalty that gave his side the victory and was lucky that his header in the second back did not find the back of his own net.
Mathias Olivera - 6.5/10
Mathias Olivera had his work cut out for him against Ousmane Dembele and while he was beaten on a few occasions, the left-back stepped up to the challenge admirably in the second half.
Damian Suarez - 7.5/10
Damian Suarez had an excellent game on the right flank and complemented Allan Nyom brilliantly against Barcelona. The wing-back occupied an offensive position in the second half and initiated several counter-attacks for Getafe.
Nemanja Maksimovic - 7/10
Nemanja Maksimovic shielded his defence well and harried Barcelona's creative players. The Serbian midfielder did have a few problems against Pedri but was often in the right place at the right time against Barcelona.
Mauro Arambarri - 7.5/10
Mauro Arambarri was tenacious in the midfield against Barcelona and drove forward on several occasions in the first half. The midfielder was accurate with his crosses and hassled Barcelona's stars off the ball.
Marc Cucurella - 8/10
Marc Cucurella was arguably the best player on the pitch. The La Masia youth product showed Barcelona what they were missing on the night and use his pace and tenacity to extraordinary effect throughout the game.
Allan-Romeo Nyom - 6.5/10
Allan Nyom was one of the most combative Getafe players on the pitch and was incredibly lucky not to be sent off for some of his antics. The winger was involved in battles with both Sergino Dest and Ansu Fati and held his ground against Barcelona.
Cucho Hernandez - 7/10
Cucho Hernandez was excellent for Getafe and served as the ideal link between the midfield and Jaime Mata. The Colombian forward could have also scored a goal for himself late in the second half but blazed his shot miles over the bar.
Jaime Mata - 7/10
Jaime Mata tormented Barcelona's defence with his physicality and stature and gave both Pique and Lenglet a hard time with his runs. The veteran striker dispatched his penalty comfortably to score Getafe's winning goal.
Substitutes
Enes Unal - 6.5/10
Enes Unal gave Getafe's counter-attacks an element of potency in the second half. The Turkish striker played an excellent lobbed pass to Cucho Hernandez and is likely to play an important part in Getafe's season.
Timor - 6/10
Timor was used as a late substitute and did not have much of an impact on the game.
Victor Mollejo - 6/10
Victor Mollejo came on in the 95th minute against Barcelona as Getafe tried to run out the clock.
Also Read: La Liga 2019/20: Team of the season
Barcelona Player Ratings
Neto - 7/10
Neto was arguably one of the only Barcelona players with something to show for tonight and did well to tip a Getafe shot on to the crossbar in the second half. The Brazilian shot-stopper could do nothing to prevent the penalty and was largely reliable on the ball.
Gerard Pique - 7/10
Gerard Pique had a positive outing against Barcelona and has been impressive under Ronald Koeman. The Catalan veteran did have a few tense moments but was comfortable in possession and always provided a safe passing option.
Clement Lenglet - 6.5/10
Clement Lenglet was a reliable presence alongside Gerard Pique and did well to deal with Getafe's counter-attacking threat. The Barcelona centre-back was pressurised on the ball on several occasions and did well to get himself out of trouble.
Sergino Dest - 7/10
Sergino Dest's full debut might not have ended in a positive result but the American teenager did give a good account of himself against an ill-tempered Allan Nyom.
Sergi Roberto - 4.5/10
Sergi Roberto was more of a passenger in this game and offered precious little in the final third. Barcelona's utility man was caught out of position on several occasions and will need to improve as the season progresses.
Frenkie de Jong - 5.5/10
Frenkie de Jong had yet another disappointing game in Barcelona colours by his standards and was not at his best against Getafe. The Dutch midfielder gave away the penalty that gave Getafe the lead in the second half.
Sergio Busquets - 5.5/10
Sergio Busquets was not at his best on the night and was uncharacteristically lazy with his passing against Getafe. The Barcelona veteran looked tired in the second half and was not his influential self throughout the game.
Pedri - 7/10
Pedri was rewarded for his positive substitute performances over the past few weeks and the teenager did a brilliant job in Barcelona's midfield. Pedri stitched several passes in attacking areas on the pitch and also set up Griezmann in the first half with a sumptuous pass.
Antoine Griezmann - 5/10
Antoine Griezmann is running terribly low on confidence at the moment and did very little to convince Ronald Koeman of his credentials in this game. The French striker was through on goal in the first half but inexplicably failed to give Barcelona a much-needed lead.
Ousmane Dembele - 5.5/10
Ousmane Dembele looked visibly rusty at the start of the game and gave the ball away on several occasions. The Barcelona winger did improve as the game progressed and will take some time to find his feet for the Catalans.
Lionel Messi - 6/10
Lionel Messi was well below his supernatural best on the night and squandered a chance to level the scores for Barcelona late in the second half. The talismanic Argentine did hit the post before the half-hour mark but could not inspire his side against a feisty Getafe outfit.
Substitutes
Ansu Fati - 5.5/10
Ansu Fati did have a few runs at Getafe's defence but was outmuscled by Allan Nyom on several occasions. The Barcelona youngster has time on his side, however, and has plenty to look forward to this season.
Philippe Coutinho - 6/10
Philippe Coutinho was brought on to drive Barcelona forward but the Brazilian was regularly crowded out by the Getafe midfield.
Francisco Trincao - 5.5/10
Francisco Trincao had a difficult outing against the enigmatic Marc Cucurella and misplaced several passes. The Portuguese winger also struggled with his dribbles and will need to improve as the season progresses.
Riqui Puig - 6/10
Riqui Puig was brought on as a late substitute and did not have enough time on the pitch to make an impact for Barcelona.
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