Barcelona keep LaLiga form against Getafe amid intense load

BARCELONA — Pedri scored the one purpose of the sport as Barcelona laboured to a 1-0 win over Getafe at Camp Nou on Sunday to strengthen their grip on prime spot in LaLiga.

Barca struggled to interrupt down a cussed Getafe aspect and it took a mistake for them to open the scoring. Andreas Christensen intercepted a Damian Suarez cross and fed Raphinha, who squared for Pedri to transform his fifth purpose of the season.

Getafe virtually levelled instantly when a poor Pedri ball inadvertently performed in Borja Mayoral, however the former Real Madrid striker was denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Substitute Franck Kessie was denied late on by visiting goalkeeper David Soria and Ansu Fati curled over as Barca have been pressured to settle for only one purpose.

JUMP TO: Best/worst performers | Highlights & notable moments | Postgame quotes | Key stats | Upcoming fixtures

Rapid response

1. Barca get job accomplished after lengthy stretch in Saudi Arabia and Africa

This was not a classic Barca efficiency, but it surely was an vital three factors within the grand scheme of the LaLiga title race. Not each show will probably be as exhilarating as final weekend’s Supercopa win over Real Madrid and maybe that, in a roundabout way, explains why Xavi Hernandez’s aspect weren’t at their greatest against Getafe.

Five days in Saudi Arabia culminated final Sunday with a 3-1 Clasico win and the primary trophy of Barcelona’s Xavi period. Barca didn’t have lengthy to have fun, although, as a result of on Thursday, through a aircraft and a helicopter, they have been off to the north African coast for a Copa del Rey recreation within the autonomous Spanish metropolis of Ceuta, profitable 5-0 to progress to the quarterfinal.

They have been again house on Sunday however the travelling took its toll on some. Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong picked up minor knocks and weren’t risked against Getafe, whereas prime scorer Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have been each suspended.

Given all of the context, the factors can take priority over the efficiency as they moved six away from Madrid, who journey to Athletic Bilbao afterward Sunday.

2. Christensen’s rising significance to Barca on show

January has served to showcase the growing significance of Andreas Christensen to this Barca aspect. The Danish defender, a free switch signing from Chelsea, was colossal within the win over Atletico Madrid earlier than the Supercopa and once more impressed against Madrid final weekend.

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Against Getafe, it was his interception and fast cross which created the purpose. It’s his skill with the ball as a lot as his defending which has helped him set up himself in the midst of the again 4 regardless of competitors from Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia.

Barca, subsequently, will hope a knock picked up within the first half isn’t severe. Xavi was actually taking no dangers. Aware of Christensen’s worth, he shortly opted to take him off. With Real Sociedad to come back within the Copa on Wednesday and Manchester United across the nook within the Europa League, there are greater challenges forward.

3. Getafe’s relegation worries mount

Getafe ruffled some feathers among the many Camp Nou crowd with their bodily type, however they left with zero factors and stay considered one of a clutch of sides with relegation worries. Only purpose distinction retains them out of the underside three in the mean time, with Real Valladolid, Celta Vigo and Getafe all tied on 17 factors.

The downside for Getafe is that they now have a troublesome run of video games arising. After shedding at Camp Nou, they face Real Betis, Atletico Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia and Villarreal of their subsequent 5 matches. With the exception of Thirteenth-placed Valencia — who’ve two video games in hand on many of the league — these groups are all within the prime 9.

Quique Sanchez Flores’ aspect do have some issues going for them. Once once more aside from Valencia, they’ve the tightest defence within the backside half of the desk. They even have objectives in Mayoral and Enes Unal — even when they did not take their probabilities against Barca.

Best and worst performers

Best: Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona

Didn’t add an help or purpose to his numbers for the season, however was one of many gamers who introduced followers to their ft in an unremarkable recreation together with his direct operating with the ball.

Best: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Barcelona

A Thirteenth clear sheet of the season and a few huge saves to make sure Barca took all three factors.

Best: Jules Kounde, Barcelona

Injuries and the World Cup have disrupted his begin to life at Barca, however there are indicators that he’s discovering his ft now.

Worst: Ansu Fati, Barcelona

Has rediscovered his goal-scoring contact in January however missed a number of probabilities so as to add to his tally within the absence of Lewandowski

Worst: Borja Mayoral, Getafe

Wasted a one-on-one with Ter Stegen after Pedri’s poor again cross.

Worst: Damian Suarez, Getafe

Stray cross led to the opening purpose and allowed Raphinha to get in behind him to set it up.

Highlights and notable moments

For all of Getafe’s efforts to defend and keep Barcelona at bay, the breakthrough normally comes for Barca — and it did on Sunday within the thirty fifth minute.

It was 20-year-old Pedri who obtained on the top of it, placing Barcelona up 1-0.

Pedri opens up the scoring against Getafe 👏 pic.twitter.com/niiVxiXzbF

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 22, 2023

After the match: What the managers and gamers stated

Barca supervisor Xavi Hernandez: I do not we performed nicely, we have been off our recreation. We didn’t assault nicely. We did defend nicely. It is difficult to assault against such a low block. We have to enhance. But it was a extremely vital win. We saved a clear sheet. We have been good with out the ball, however we did not create sufficient. You might really feel the psychological tiredness from the Supercopa. It’s three factors with out enjoying nicely.

Getafe supervisor Quique Sanchez Flores: Against these groups, you need to play mini-games of quarter-hour to try to get factors. We performed making an attempt to rob the ball and assault the house. They are in good form however we tried to shock them and we have been within the recreation. (Angry concerning the purpose?) Yes, as a result of we have been punished against Espanyol and Sevilla as nicely for errors.

Key stats (offered by ESPN Stats & Information)

• Pedri scored his fourth league purpose this season, which is the 20-year-old’s most in a top-flight season.

• Pedri has scored in consecutive video games (2 objectives) for the primary time in all competitions (98 video games performed).

Up subsequent

Barcelona: Barca will host Real Sociedad within the quarterfinal spherical of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, Jan. 25 (watch dwell on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET). Then, Barcelona return to league play after they head to Girona on Saturday, Jan. 28 (watch dwell on ESPN+ at 10:15 a.m. ET).

Getafe: Azulones will host Real Betis in LaLiga motion on Saturday, Jan. 28 (watch dwell on ESPN+ at 3p.m. ET).