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Barcelona travelled to Madrid based Getafe after a very good game in Champions League against Juventus. Valverde fielded a strong side against the promoted team with the only change being Roberto in for Semedo. However, they were left stunned with a fine first-half performance capped by an amazing Shibasaki volleyed goal.
Barca then mounted a comeback riding on Denis' amazing performance. He capped off a brilliant performance with a finely taken goal. However, the match was still very much left in hanging. In these dire situations emerged a very unlikely hero for them - PAULINHO. He barged into Getafe's defence and picked out a fine finish to put the match into Barcelona's bag.
Here, let’s take a look at how the players fared for both the teams.
Getafe
Guaita:8/10
Quite an amazing outing just like his opposite number. Quick off his lines, it was him who stood firm and almost stopped Barca from an easy victory. Pulled a couple of saves including a fantastic stop off Messi's freekick.
Damian Suarez: 8/10
The Uruguayan right-back was tentative, always ready to jump into tackles and defended as if his life depended on it. He did not allow any Barcelona player any joy down his side. Amazing performance.
Dakonam:6/10
The centre-back was solid for the most part of the game and shut out Barca's strikers quite efficiently in both halves. However, he was outmuscled quite easily for Barca's second goal by Paulinho.
Juan Cala:7/10
Cala put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Messi and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles to keep Getafe in the game.
Antunes:6/10
The fullback had a decent outing and defended reasonably well barring the opening few minutes. He stayed narrow and didn't really give much in attack. However, both the Barca goals came from his side.
Bergara:7/10
The midfielder was combative and very efficient in possession. He was intelligent in distribution and defended resolutely. His headed assist for Shibasaki's goal was a thing of beauty meeting brawn.
Arambarri:6.5/10
Arambarri had a decent game. Though he was not much influential in the second half, he came out on top in the midfield battle against Barca’s midfield during the initial 45 minutes. His distribution was efficient if not eye-catching.
Faycal Fajr: 6.5/10
The former Deportivo la Coruna man had a good game. He helped in the team's buildups and was a constant thorn for Barcelona's defence. His end-product led him down big time.
Shibasaki: 7.5/10
Scorer of the home side's only goal, he had a good day at the office. Though not quite as influential, he was still an essential cog in the system and his goal was taken quite beautifully.
Ndiaye: 5.5/10
Playing on the left side for Getafe, he could not muster up much of a challenge for a makeshift right-back, Sergi Roberto. He was slow to react and was off the frequency on which his teammates played.
Molina: 6.5/10
Very much like his teammates, he faded away in the second half. However, in the first half, he was absolutely sensational as a target man for the Madrid based club. He troubled Pique quite a bit including a nutmeg in the first half.
Substitutes
Alvaro Jimenez: 6.5/10
He came on for Shibasaki and continued his good work. Though he did lack end product, he did trouble Barcelona quite a bit.
Mora: N/A
Portillo: N/A
Barcelona
Ter Stegen: 7/10
The German International was a standout performer in goal tonight. He pulled off brilliant saves off a potential Pique own goal and a late powerful drive from Gimenez apart from a number of routine saves.
Roberto: 7/10
Back in his right-back role after Semedo was rested, he produced a mixed bag of a performance. He did make a couple of penetrating runs in attack and provided a fine assist for Denis Suarez's goal. He, however, was guilty of giving too much space on his side which, thankfully, was not exploited.
Pique: 6.5/10
This was a poor game by the standards he has set for himself. He made important tackles and interceptions but was also challenged physically, especially in the first half. He did redeem himself in the second half. He was lucky to not have scored an own goal.
Umtiti: 7.5/10
Umtiti had a good game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won headers, made blocks and clearances and was a calm head in the heart of the Barca defence.
Jordi Alba: 6/10
The Spanish International was much quieter today. He was left with a lot to deal on his flank and generally did struggle. A mixed day at office for him.
Busquets: 8/10
The Spanish International was influential throughout the game. He broke plays and started attacks from his own half. This was a good commanding display from him in the middle of the park.
Rakitic: 7/10
The Croat was a willing runner in the midfield. He covered for his fullbacks and then contributed going forward as well. He looks to be getting back to his best after a below-par start to this season.
Iniesta: 5.5/10
The veteran midfielder had a rare poor game. Unimaginative in attack and generally lethargic, he struggled to have any say on the game. He was subbed off at halftime.
Dembele: 6/10
He looked bright in the early exchanges. His night was cut short early in the first half with a hamstring injury.
Suarez: 4.5/10
The Uruguayan gunman is having a quite poor 2017. Today was no different. He did work hard for his team but lacked any cutting edge which he is famous for. He needs to sort his game out.
Messi: 7.5/10
He had a very average game by his alien standards though he still was better than most of the players on the field. He could not find much joy inside the box as Getafe defended resolutely but was influential whenever he dropped deep.
Substitutes
Deulofeu: 7/10
He came on for Dembele in the first half after the latter's injury cut his night short. He was quite influential for the Catalan side as he ran at defenders and used his physicality very well as demonstrated in Barca's first goal. He contributed in defence too.
Denis Suarez: 7.5/10
His introduction set the dice rolling for La Blaugrana. He was crafty in possession, kept the ball in tight spaces and brought the much-needed urgency into Barca's game. His finishing for the goal was a thing of beauty.
Paulinho: 7/10
The much-ridiculed summer signing turned out to be the saviour of Barcelona tonight. He brought physicality into the midfield and scored a fine goal to swing the result in Barcelona's favour.
