At a glance
- Getafe vs Barcelona ended in a 2-0 victory for the visitors at the Estadio Coliseum, in their first win there since September 2019.
- Fermin Lopez scored just before the interval, while Marcus Rashford doubled Barca’s account on 74 minutes.
- This victory now leaves Barcelona 11 points clear at the top of La Liga with only five games left.
In a venue they hadn’t won in since September 2019, Barcelona beat Getafe 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday without Lamine Yamal or Raphinha.
It was a tight, physical and hard-fought victory at the Coliseum, with the three points earned putting the Catalans 11 points ahead of Real Madrid as five fixtures remain including the Clasico.
With just five games remaining, and one of them the Clasico on May 10, a second consecutive title looks to be Barca’s for the taking.
A tight first half but Pedri and Fermin opened Getafe up
Most of the first half followed exactly as the pattern suggested. Getafe sat incredibly deep, won second balls and gave Barca no space in behind. An early header from Robert Lewandowski was too high to convert, and Roony Bardghji did well to win space inside the box only to fire wide in the first half.
However, right on the stroke of half-time, a perfectly weighted through ball by Pedri to Fermin Lopez caught the Getafe defence flat. Fermin took a smart touch to set himself up further and fired in to give Barcelona the lead.
Rashford put the game to bed
The second half was more open. Barca maintained possession well and were still creating chances. Fermin hit the post and Dani Olmo missed a big opportunity, and the nerves were perhaps beginning to show while defending a slim lead.
Getafe could have scored what would’ve been a huge goal had it not been for the brilliance of Pau Cubarsi with a stunning clearance on the line. Seconds later, Barcelona counter-attacked from the corner and a long ball from Lewandowski found Marcus Rashford, who finished well and low underneath David Soria to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute. Game over.
Rashford had come on 20 minutes prior and impressed with his energy, and his finish was clinically taken when presented with a chance to perhaps start ahead of Fermin on the left while ever Raphinha is out.
What the win means for Barcelona
Barcelona have now won nine consecutive league matches and this one came at a ground that has previously troubled them, and where they hadn’t taken home three points since 2019.
Flick had to rotate for this match due to injuries to Lamine Yamal, who is out for the rest of the season, and Raphinha, plus a suspension picked up by Eric Garcia. However, Fermin and Rashford delivered, and Pedri pulled the strings in midfield to open the defence up. They found a way.
Five games to go. 11 points clear. Back-to-back La Liga titles are soon to be a reality.
