Barça does its homework against Getafe

Barça does its homework against Getafe

Xavi's men reinforce the leadership and the streak with a goal from Pedri (1-0) although they go down whole almost asking for the time

MADRID, 22 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

FC Barcelona beat Getafe (1-0) this Sunday on matchday 18 of LaLiga Santander held at the Spotify Camp Nou, one more step in its good moment of results, although without as much brilliance as the one it had been showing, to consolidate the leadership and put the pressure on Real Madrid with a solitary goal from Pedri.

Xavi Hernández's team increased the bad streak of the 'azulón' team, two victories in 12 games and they remain with the same points as the relegation zone, although they did so with the law of minimum effort. Barça, who came from a much more intensive calendar than their rival, lacked the rhythm to attack and to withdraw, against a 'Geta' who had his danger although without aim.

With Quique Sánchez Flores' men in a defensive formation of 5-4-1, Barça did not go crazy looking for holes, comfortable in their total possession despite not finding chances. Thus, the Barca danger pointed to a quick recovery that was so important for Xavi and that's where Getafe was shipwrecked at 1-0, when he wanted to leave.

In two touches, Christensen's recovery aimed at Raphinha and the Brazilian's pass into the box, Pedri's goal came after half an hour. The canary, who lately also pays attention to his coach's maxim of arriving from the second row, gave the blow that ended up being worth the three points, although the 'Geta' continued to live, who can be worth gold without San Mamés can with Madrid.

Ter Stegen was also key for the leader, a Barça that, after winning the Super Cup, wants to reconquer the League four years later. The German goalkeeper stopped Borja Mayoral one-on-one after a mistake by Pedri giving the striker a goal pass from behind. The goalkeeper was more inspired than the forwards, with the turn this Sunday for Ansu Fati who could not shine.

It was not the best day, against a crowded defense, to be the alternative to the suspended Robert Lewandowski, and he did not have a clear chance except a one-on-one in the final stretch that was canceled for offside. Getafe had clear ideas, with the intention of quickly looking for Enes Ünal and Borja Mayoral, with Iglesias' good start on the wing, but once again they lacked a goal.

Despite falling into more than one offside, the strategy of Sánchez Flores' men caught the locals off guard more than once and their forward defense. At Barça, without rhythm or gaps, it was Dembélé who took on stripes but hoarding the ball too much, although he was the first and the only one to test Soria in the first half, beyond Pedri's goal on the second occasion for the locals.

The fight was put on by Gavi and Damián Suárez, but Iglesias Villanueva was not very good at scoring, not even in a Dembélé entry that bordered on expulsion as the Madrid people claimed. When Quique Sánchez Flores burned ships with Portu, Seoane and Latasa, Kessié forgave the sentence, and Getafe did not achieve the final arreón with which to hurt a Barça that won just enough.

--RESULT: FC BARCELONA, 1 - GETAFE, 0. (1-0, at halftime).

FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto (Marcos Alonso, min.77), Koundé, Christensen (Eric Garcia, substitute), Balde (Jordi Alba, substitute); Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Dembele, Ansu Fati and Raphinha (Kessie, min.62).

GETAFE: David Soria; Damián Suárez, Djené, Duarte, Alderete, Iglesias (Gastón Álvarez, min.84); Luis Milla (Seoane, min.84), Aleñá, Algobia (Gonzalo Villar, min.62); Enes Ünal (Latasa, min.84) and Borja Mayoral (Portu, min.77).

1 - 0, min.35, Pedri.

--REFEREE: Iglesias Villanueva. (C. Galicia). He admonished Dembélé (min.68) by Barça. And to Alderete (min.44) and Ünal (min.82) at Getafe.

--STADIUM: Spotify Camp Nou.