Getafe CF 0-0 FC Barcelona: Barca fail to score again as Xavi Hernandez’s side held to scoreless draw

Barcelona played out their second successive goalless draw in la Liga as they were unable to find a way past relegation-threatened Getafe.

The closest the deadlock came to being broken was in the first-half when Raphinha raced through on goal and shot against the post, with Alejandro Balde hitting the same part of the woodwork with his rebound.

The visitors forced saves from David Soria thanks to efforts from Robert Lewandowski, Jordi Alba and Franck Kessie, but it was by no means one-way traffic.

Ex-Barcelona forward Munir El Haddadi headed wide a great chance for Getafe early on from Borja Mayoral’s cross, and then the latter had a great chance to win it three minutes from time but, after being presented with a chance by Jules Kounde’s slip, he fired inches wide of the target.

The draw means Barcelona’s lead at the top of la Liga stands at 11 points. Getafe are four points clear of the relegation zone.

TALKING POINT

Barcelona defence historically resolute – No one would confuse the Barcelona defence for the Milan ones led by Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini. Or indeed Atletico Madrid’s one in 2015/16 helmed by Diego Godin in front of Jan Oblak, which holds the current La Liga record of 18 goals conceded in a season. However, with nine games remaining in the campaign they will tie this record if they average a concession of a goal a game. WIth eight clean sheets in their last ten games this looks like a worst-case scenario for the Azulgrana. This is particularly strange as it has not been the result of a backline which picks itself each week in front of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, illustrating the value of a team which holds the ball so well, perhaps.

In a season where other than it being the first La Liga success in the reign of Xavi, and witnessing the continued rise of Gavi and Pedri, there have not been as many highlights as were standard practice in the Lionel Messi-era, this is something the Barcelona squad can look back on with pride when they wrap up the title in the coming weeks.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

David Soria (Getafe) – The Azulones stopper winning this award shows the paucity of options as his goal was hardly peppered during the encounter. That said, he did make good full-length stops to deny Robert Lewandowski and Jordi Alba, as well as a smart reaction stop to deny Franck Kessie’s volley. Only one team in the bottom eight has conceded less than Getafe and it is clear if they are to be demoted it will not be due to their defence and goalkeeper.

PLAYER RATINGS

Getafe: David Soria 7; Damian Suarez 6, Djene 7, Duarte 6, Alderete 7, Juan Iglesias 6; Maksimovic 6, Luis Milla 6, Munir 7; Borja Mayoral 6, Unal 6.

Subs: Alvarez 6, Alena 6, Algobia 7, Portu 6, Villar 6.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6; Sergi Roberto 6, Araujo 6, Kounde 6; Kessie 7, Busquets 7, Gavi 6, Jordi Alba 7; Raphinha 6, Balde 6; Lewandowski 6.

Subs: Garcia 6, Torres 6, Fati 6, Torre 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

5′ MAYORAL SENDS A DANGEROUS CROSS INTO AREA! But Munir heads the effort wide of the target.

26′ OFF THE POST – TWICE! Lewandowski lets the ball go over his head and Raphinha runs onto it and beats the keeper but the ball comes back off the post. Then Balde following up shoots at goal and strikes almost the same spot of the same post.

54′ GOOD SHOT AND GOOD SAVE! The ball drops for Kessie in the area and he fires a volley at the near post but Soria dives to his right to parry away.

87′ WHAT A CHANCE FOR MAYORAL! An awful mistake from Kounde presents the ball to the striker, but the forward fires the ball a yard wide with Ter Stegen beaten.

KEY STAT

• 22 – Barcelona have kept 22 clean sheets this season. They need four to match the record held by Deportivo La Coruna’s record set in 1993/94.