Getafea 0-0 Barcelona: Ralphina & coach Xavi sent off for Barca in goaless draw
SMA NEWS – BARCELONA
Barcelona were forced to play for the majority of the match with 10 men after Raphinha was shown a straight red card for an elbow towards the end of the opening 45 minutes. Getafe did not finish the contest with a full deck, as Jaime Mata was shown a second yellow shortly before the hour mark, while Barca coach Xavi was sent to the stands for dissent.
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Raphinha and Carles Alena clash during the Spanish Liga match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona at the Col. Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe on August 13, 2023.
Getafe and Barcelona shared the points in their opening La Liga fixture of the season at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
In the first half Getafe successfully frustrated Barcelona with their solid defensive shape and physical play.
Barcelona dominated possession but failed to get their key attackers and midfield players into the game, mostly circulating possession deep in midfield.
The biggest chance came through new signing Oriol Romeu when he dribbled past two players and shot narrowly wide of the post.
Tensions kept rising throughout the first half with Barcelona players becoming increasingly frustrated with Getafe’s off-the-ball challenges that were going without punishment. It all spilled over in the 42nd minute when Raphinha was sent off after elbowing Gaston Alvarez who tried to block the Brazilian’s run in behind.
Getafe started the second half well, looking to take advantage of their numerical superiority on the pitch but couldn’t take the lead.
Their hunt for an opener didn’t last long as numbers were levelled in the 57th minute when Jaime Mata was shown a second yellow card.
With it now being a 10 against 10, Barcelona looked to press on and find an opener but their attempts were consistently thwarted by Getafe’s solid defence.
After Barca coach Xavi had seen sent to the stands for dissent, there was late drama. The referee was sent to the monitor in the 104th minute to check for a penalty, but ruled that Gavi had committed a handball before any possible foul – as Getafe breathed a sigh of relief.
