Barcelona are back in LaLiga action close to a month after their dramatic defeat to Atlético Madrid. Their first league game of 2025 will see them visit the Community of Madrid to face Getafe.
By Neel Shelat
Barcelona’s free-flowing attack
Barcelona certainly kept their fans entertained despite a lack of LaLiga action over the last four weeks. Their short winter break was dominated by squad registration drama surrounding Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor – who will be available for now at least – after which they won all four matches played in resounding fashion.
The victories over Barbastro in the cup and Athletic Club in the Supercopa semifinal were routine enough, but their attack found yet another gear in the last two games. They put five past eternal rivals Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday before doing the same to Real Betis back on Spanish soil in a midweek Copa del Rey tie.
Barça alerady were the best attacking team by quite a large margin in the first half of the La Liga season, so the possibility of them getting even better will send shivers down the spines of defenders around the division.
A clash of polar opposite styles
While Barcelona traditionally like to keep a lot of the ball and put together slick attacking moves, José Bordalás’ Getafe side are quite the opposite. Perhaps nothing encapsulates the team better than their most recent result – a single goal win over fourth-tier Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey. This game had all the hallmarks of peak Bordalás-ball: a comically low possession figure, an incredibly resolute defensive display and of course, a red card for violent conduct.
While Getafe’s stats are not quite so eye-catching in every singly match, they do have one of LaLiga’s lowest possession averages this season at 43.6% as well as the second-lowest attacking return of just 13 goals.
Entertainment limited at the Coliseum
Getafe’s attacking numbers have not been much better in any of their recent seasons, so the only reason thay have been able to stay up is their incredibly tight defence. They are on course to repeat the trick having let in just 16 goals in 19 league fixtures so far.
Unsurprisingly, then, Getafe’s games have seen the fewest goals scored. They are particularly stingy at home as just 13 goals have been scored at both ends combined in the 10 league matches they have hosted. Clearly, fans looking for goals should not expect to be too entertained at the Estadio Coliseum.
Getafe’s impressive home record against Barcelona
Barcelona have surely not enjoyed any of their recent visits to Getafe. In fact, they have failed to score in their last four matches at the Coliseum, drawing the last three and losing to a single goal in 2020. So, their last scorers at the venue are Luis Suárez and Junior Firpo.
A full-strength attack led by the irresistible front three of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha will be keen to change that tonight.
Prediction
Barcelona have the momentum and attacking firepower to break down Getafe’s staunch defence and put an end to their three-match winless streak in LaLiga.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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