Barcelona miss Pedri after dropping points again in LaLiga

Barcelona have been held to a goalless draw at Getafe on Sunday as their winless run in all competitions stretched to 3 video games.

Xavi Hernandez’s aspect stay 11 points away from Real Madrid on the high of LaLiga, however their race to a primary league title since 2019 has been slowed down by back-to-back stalemates in the league.

Getafe, who got here near successful the sport late on by way of Borja Mayoral, edge 4 points away from the relegation zone after holding the leaders on the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

Rapid response

1. Drab Barca missing creativity

Barca by no means regarded like breaking down a resilient Getafe aspect as their scoreless streak reached 290 minutes in all competitions. They haven’t discovered the again of the online for the reason that seventieth minute of their 4-0 win over Elche on April 1. Since then, they’ve misplaced 4-0 to Madrid in the Copa del Rey and been held to goalless attracts by first Girona and now Getafe.

Sunday’s recreation as soon as again highlighted the significance of the Barca gamers who’re at present lacking. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha led the assault — each pressured saves from David Soria and the Brazilian hit the submit — however neither have fairly been as much as the grade in current weeks. The absence of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Ousmane Dembele and Andreas Christensen has been telling.

The lack of Pedri has been particularly vital for Barca. Lewandowski is actually lacking the midfielder’s creativity. With Pedri in the group, the Polish striker averages 0.6 objectives per 90 minutes and a pair of.7 pictures. Without him, these numbers drop to 0.2 and 1.5 respectively. Pedri might return subsequent week, when Barca host Atletico Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou. Despite their lead over Madrid on the high, they may actually do with a win to assist them shut in on the league title.

Ansu and Ferran’s futures at Camp Nou look more and more unsure. At Getafe, regardless of lacking a number of gamers. Xavi opted to depart them each on the bench in favour of taking part in two left-backs, with Alejandro Balde beginning forward of Jordi Alba alongside Lewandowski and Raphinha in assault.

With Barca chasing a aim, each Ansu, making his one centesimal look for the membership, and Ferran have been launched for the ultimate 20 minutes. Ansu performed on the left and Ferran by way of the center, simply off Lewandowski. Neither have been capable of have an effect on the sport, although, and the rumours will proceed about what awaits the 2 forwards past the summer season.

3. Precious level for Getafe on the backside

Getafe had their possibilities. Former Barca ahead Munir El Haddadi despatched an early header broad and Mayoral flashed a great opening simply broad in the latter phases of the sport. However, Quique Sanchez Flores’ aspect would have settled for a draw towards the run-away LaLiga leaders earlier than the sport.

It was a deserved level and one which takes them 4 points away from the drop zone. Perhaps extra importantly, it’s going to give them a confidence increase forward of three season-defining video games. Next up are relegation rivals Mallorca, Almeria and Espanyol.

Best and worst performers

BEST:

David Soria, GK, Getafe: Made saves from Lewandowski and Raphinha you’ll anticipate him to make however that was sufficient to face out in a match missing high quality.

Raphinha, FW, Barcelona: Came the closest to breaking the impasse, hitting the submit and forcing a late save from Soria. Was livid to be taken off late on.

Luis Milla, MF, Getafe: An spectacular efficiency from the midfielder, who did properly with and with out the ball.

WORST:

Gavi, MF, Barcelona: Booked inside the primary two minutes and accomplished simply 11 passes all through the sport — a staggeringly low quantity for a Barca midfielder.

Jules Kounde, DF, Barcelona: Started at centre-back and the moved to right-back, the place his finish product in the ultimate third was too usually missing.

Robert Lewandowski, FW, Barcelona: His type for the reason that World Cup continues to be a priority, though additionally it is true he’s not getting good service.

Highlights and notable moments

Some followers climbed to the highest of a tree to catch a glimpse of the match.

These followers climbed a tree to observe Getafe vs. Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/uLCSq1oOOy

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 16, 2023

Ansu Fati reached the century mark in appearances for Barcelona.

💯 Games for @ANSUFATI!
Congratulations, Ansu 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/tPe1AArSJo

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 16, 2023

Barca’s poor run of type continues as they sit 11 points forward of Real Madrid with 9 video games to go.

Getafe 0-0 Barcelona

A second-straight draw in LaLiga and a third-consecutive goalless recreation for Barça 😳 pic.twitter.com/NAh2aSRgfK

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 16, 2023

After the match: What the gamers/managers mentioned

Barcelona’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen: “It doesn’t feel like a great point. We had good chance in the first half. It’s a struggle here with the usual games — a dry pitch — it’s difficult. You have to be clinical in these matches. They fight for everything, it’s really tough. They also had a good chance.”

Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez: “The pitch held us back. We expected it, we trained on a dry pitch on Saturday. It is difficult to play here and it is not good for the spectacle. The ball gets stuck, it’s even bad for Getafe. It’s fundamental that the pitch is in good condition. But it is not an excuse and we have to get back on track. A point is not the worst considering how uncomfortable it was.

“We are having a great season in LaLiga however we will not fall asleep now. We have essential video games developing. I hope we will have two or three gamers again subsequent week. It’s not an excuse, we’ve a great squad and I’m happy. From there, although, we’ve to minimise accidents and get gamers again.”

Getafe manager Quique Sanchez-Flores: “They need (the pitch) fast, watered… I get that. We do what we’ve to do. We comprehend it hampers out fast counters as properly, which we’ve in our locker, however we’ve to do what we’ve to do.

“We had chances. Barca dominated play but we kept a good shape in defence and were quick in attack.”

Key stats (supplied by ESPN Stats & Information)

– Barcelona has shut out its opponents in the primary half of 24 of 29 of its LaLiga matches this season together with 5 of its previous 6.

– Barcelona: failed to attain in consecutive LaLiga video games for the primary time since May-August 2022.

– Barcelona: Its 9 objectives allowed this season are the fewest in Europe’s high 5 leagues (subsequent closest group has 20 — Atlético and Lazio, coming into Sunday)

Up subsequent

Getafe: Their struggle to keep away from the relegation zone continues with paying a go to to Mallorca on April 23.

Barcelona: Back on the Camp Nou on April 23, the Xavi’s group host third place Atletico Madrid (stream the match on ESPN+, 10.15 a.m. ET).

Following that recreation, the Blaugrana go to Rayo Vallecano on April 26.