Getafe stunned La Liga leaders Barcelona by producing a stubborn collective performance to hold them to a goalless draw at Camp Nou on Sunday.
The visitors stood resolutely in front of a Barcelona attack that was unrelenting at times, but without the end product for the most part. January signings Philippe Coutinho and Yerry Mina came the closest to scoring, but Vicente Guaita stood like a rock between his posts to keep his clean sheet intact.
Getafe posed a threat on the counter as the game wore on, but the match started as it had began as Barcelona failed to score for the first time this season. The Blaugrana’s lead atop the table has now been cut to seven points, and The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Ernesto Valverde’s men.
? FINAL WHISTLE AT CAMP NOU
⚽ #BarçaGetafe
?? #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/Lz0M1TYc3r— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 11, 2018
Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 6/10
As has been the case for large parts of the season, it was a quiet evening for ter Stegen in the Barcelona goal, although he could have ended up conceding a goal. The German was off his line, but was lucky to see Gaku Shibasaki’s shot go high and wide. His passing was a little wayward at times as well.
Sergi Roberto: 6/10
Had very little to defensively, and it was on the opposite end where he needed to make an impact. Roberto was not as effective as he has been in recent weeks, with very little incisiveness from his side. He did not enjoy the link-ups on the right flank either, till Ousmane Dembele was introduced.
Yerry Mina: 7/10
Making his first start ever for Barcelona, one would could forgive Yerry Mina to have been a little overwhelmed by the occasion. But, the Colombian barely showed any nerves and apart from a couple of minor errors, was faultless at the back, where he used his pace to good effect.
A goal would have been the icing on the cake, but a very good debut for Yerry Mina with Barcelona.
2 Clearances
2 Interceptions
3 Tackles
78 Successful passes
94% Pass accuracyBargain of the year by a country mile.
Yerry Mina £10.5m
Virgil van Dijk £75mMina is better. pic.twitter.com/FvGfTU1Yet
— Simon Edwards (@SimonEdwardsSAF) February 12, 2018
What was particularly impressive about Yerry Mina was his intention to burst forward and support attack at times. He could have had a debut goal too, taking two fine headers at Vicente Guaita. Will face tougher challenges in the months to come.
Lucas Digne: 6/10
With Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen injured and Samuel Umtiti suspended, Valverde had to use Lucas Digne as a makeshift centre-back. This was an ideal game to deploy the Frenchman in the position as Getafe barely troubled him. He was still pretty impressive though, looking solid whenever called into action.
Jordi Alba: 6/10
With barely anything to do defensively, Alba needed to do what he does best – attack with drive and purpose on the left flank. But, he was highly ineffective on Sunday as even though he did provide width, the Spaniard could not find his teammates with his crosses. Needs to pull his socks up.
Paco Alcacer: 6/10
A rare start for Paco Alcacer, who has been quite impressive this season. Playing in an unfamiliar right midfield role though, the player couldn’t create nearly the sort of impact that he has while deployed in as a striker where he is considerably more dangerous.
Ivan Rakitic: 6/10
Not nearly as influential as he has been in recent weeks. While Rakitic put in a shift defensively, and was tireless in his running, his passing range wasn’t quite the same as it is on his best days. A rare off day for the Croat, who has been superb of late.
Sergio Busquets: 6/10
Sergio Busquets is now the seventh player in history to play 300 matches for Barcelona in the League.
Still going strong. ?? pic.twitter.com/tYv1SW3GXr
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 11, 2018
Another player whose attacking forays were affected by Getafe’s smart pressing. Busquets snuffed out the danger that the visitors’ attack posed for the most part, but he couldn’t initiate attacks with the kind of incisiveness and tempo that he is known for, with very little space to work with often.
Philippe Coutinho: 6/10
Underwhelming from Coutinho, who looks like he is still getting to grips with life at Camp Nou. Largely anonymous in the first half, the Brazilian was much improved and more involved post the break, even testing Guaita with a couple of his trademark long-range shots.
Lionel Messi: 6.5/10
Easily the best of the lot in attack for Barcelona. But, it still wasn’t enough for Valverde & co. as Messi, too, was far from his best on his 300th Camp Nou appearance. The Argentine created the bulk of the chances for his side, but the cutting edge was often missing, and he didn’t have the kind of support that could have made the difference.
Messi at Camp Nou:
300 appearances
309 goals
106 assists pic.twitter.com/5ggC5Wq8e3— Barca Galaxy (@barcagalaxy) February 12, 2018
Luis Suarez: 6/10
It was rare off day for Suarez, whose profligacy was largely the difference between three points and one. Tireless as always in his performance, the Uruguayan worked his socks off, but he was caught offside one too many times. Could have won the game in the dying stages of the match before Guaita produced one final save.
SUBSTITUTES
Andres Iniesta: 6/10
On for Coutinho, Iniesta shared the creative burden with Messi and produced a fine chance for Ousmane Dembele.
Ousmane Dembele: 5/10
On for the final half an hour or so, Dembele was brought on to bring some freshness in the Barcelona attack. But, he too failed to penetrate the Getafe defence, looking a little off the pace at times.
