FC Barcelona dominated the game at FC Getafe, but it was a dream pass from Pedri that broke the home side’s defensive barrier. The Catalans moved another step closer to the championship.
It quickly became clear that the best defense in the league (Barcelona with 30 goals conceded) was up against the third-best (Getafe with 32) in the Madrid suburb. As expected, the Catalans were quickly made to feel the physicality of the home side, with possession (78 per cent at the break) resulting in hardly any goalscoring opportunities.
Also because the absence of Lamine Yamal made itself felt. The attacker was injured after scoring a penalty against Vigo (1-0) and was replaced by Bardghji, with Lewandowski and Fermin coming on for Eric and Ferran Torres. The Swede hardly made a mark, but neither did his teammates. At least Bardghji had a first half chance, narrowly missing from a half-right position – a full 36 minutes had already been played.
A goal was certainly not in the air, but after Cubarsi won the ball against Mario Martin, Pedri made a lightning-quick switch and set up Fermin with a wonderful pass from the center circle. Alone in front of goal, the 22-year-old did everything right and made it 1:0 for the Catalans. An admittedly deserved lead at the break for the league leaders, Getafe had been too destructive overall.
The fact that Getafe coach Bordalas made a double substitution at the break was therefore not unexpected. But that didn’t change much: Barcelona continued to set the tone and twice sniffed a second goal in the 53rd minute, but Olmo failed to beat keeper Soria from close range and Koundé headed narrowly wide. Fermin also failed to find the net after another dream pass from Pedri (70′).
Getafe thwarted after the first chance
It was not until the 74th minute that Getafe had their first dangerous chance in front of goal. Satriano played the ball back into the danger zone after a cross to the second post, but Mario Martin, who was under pressure from Cubarsi, was unable to get the ball on target with a sliding tackle.
The key scene, as the Madrilenians were then immediately caught out cold. Lewandowski sent Rashford on his way, who kept his cool in front of keeper Soria and scored to make it 2:0. A brutal response to the small glimmer of hope that had just emerged from the home side’s perspective.
Getafe then resigned themselves to defeat and preferred to conserve their strength for the upcoming games in the battle for international business. Barcelona, who will have to make do without the yellow card suspended Koundé against Osasuna, can hardly be denied the title with an eleven-point lead over Real.