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Match

Marcador del partit

  • Date: Sunday, 07 Jan
  • Competition: ???label.competicio0???
  • Stadium: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, Getafe

Resultat:

  • Getafe CF: 1
  • FC Barcelona: 1

Match report

Match Report

The goals

1-0, Güiza (min. 54)
1-1-Xavi (min. 70)

Closing in on the lead (1-1)

Barça made up some ground on leaders Sevilla on Sunday evening. Rijkaards men battled back from a goal down through Xavi's free kick, which brought them back to level pegging following Güiza's goal. Barça now find themselves two points adrift from leaders Seville.

Both goals came in the second period following a fairly even contest in the first half. Getafe's first goal came after an unfortunate error by Marquez; when the Mexican tried to pass the ball back. Barça, however, managed to draw even 16 minutes later from Xavi free kick; wipping the ball in past the hands of Abondancieri. Without Deco and Ronaldinho, Barça have drawn a game in one of the most difficult places in the league.

Home territory

Frank Rijkaard picked a starting 11 with out any surprises. Santi Ezquerro started the game; making up the attacking line up along with Gudjohnsen and Giuly. The defence was made up of the same player who formed last season's back line, Puyol, Marquez, Belletti and Sylvinho. Completing the line up in midfield were Xavi, Iniesta and Edmilson.

The first half saw both teams trying to study their rival's movements. Both teams playing well and cancelling out the opposition's threat, however, it was Barça who dominated territorial wise. The highlight, was a great pass by Edmilson to Gudjohnsen, who found himself in a great position, however, referee Mejuto Gonzalez deemed him to be a little offside. The Barça number '7' had another opportunity in the 11th minute; after receiving a pass from Marquez, he darted into the area and shot just wide of the keeper Abbondanciari.

Great save from Valdes

Bernd Schuster's team had their fair share of the ball during the first half. In the 23rd minute, ex Barça B player Dani Guiza had the best occasion. He got the better of Puyol and had a shot on goal; however, a superb save from Valdes to the right denied him the goal.

From this moment on, it was Barça who upped their game and began to dominate the possession. This period of possession brought about another opportunity. Unfortunately, yet again, the referee deemed Gudjohnsen offside following a neat pass form Ezquerro in the 42nd minute.

Unfortunate error

The first goal of the game came due to an unfortunate error from Rafa Marquez. In the 54th minute, Marquez's attempted back pass was intercepted by Guiza, which left him in a one on one situation against Valdes. Despite the Barça keeper getting his hands to the ball, he was unable to stop it crossing the line for a goal. Following the goal, Frank Rijkaard decided to change things around a little by bringing on Saviola for Ezquerro in the 54th minute; in a hope of injecting a little more pace into the attack.

Great goal by Xavi

The league champions, however, were not to be denied. Knowing how to respond, Barça began to attack more and in the 70th minute, Iniesta was brought down near the area after a mazy run. Xavi took over the dead ball responsibilities and fired the ball to the left of keeper Abbondancieri to bring the scores level. The goal being the third consecutive free kick scored by Barça against Getafe.

Ten minutes from time, Ludovic Giuly had two opportunities to find the back of the net. Dominating in possession, Barça opened up an opportunity for the Barça number '8' in the 80th minute. A shot from Giuly was well saved by the Getafe keeper, although in doing so, he conceded a corner. From the corner, Giuly was again in a good position, however he was to be denied the goal again.

Late pressure from home team and Olmo's debut

Late on in the game, Bernd Schuster's team were able to create a great chance in the search for the winning goal. Two minutes from time, Manu del Moral, who had come on for Pachon only minutes earlier, shot just wide of the post. Getafe continued looking for the winner with insistence. Cotelho, in time added on, shot well from distance bringing about yet another great save from Valdes; tipping the ball over the crossbar for a corner.

The positive to come out of the came was the debut of Olmo, who came on near the end for Edmilson. Olmo slotted in at the back and Marquez moved up to the midfield. For the home team, a negative was Alexis, who saw red near the end by picking up two yellows. The game stayed as it was and both teams ended up with a share of the spoils (1-1).

 


Preview

A busy January

The game against Getafe is the first of seven games Barça will play in the first month of the year. Frank Rijkaard's team have their hands full over the next three to four weeks with five league games (one being to make up for the game against Betis), and two King's cup ties.  

Return of the league

Barça kick off their New Year campaign this Sunday against Getafe (17h, Barça TV). Historically, Barça do well in the first games of the year, although the challenge will be far from easy.

The holidays are over. Following a two week break, Barça return to action this Sunday against Getafe in the Alfonso Perez Coliseum. Rijkaard goes into the game with seven absentees, among them Deco and Ronaldinho, however, despite this, Barça are confident of coming away with all three points and regaining their position as league leaders (Barça have 34 points, 3 points behind Seville, but with two games in hand). Being the team which has let in the fewest goals this season, Getafe are sure to make life difficult for Frank Rijkaard's men.

Top players missing: Frank Rijkaard has to start the year with many players out. Injuries to Eto'o, Messi, Thuram, Zambrotta and Oleguer; Motta has been unable to shake off a bout of the flu and Deco and Ronaldinho are out with a one match suspension.

Therefore, Rijkaard has only been able to count on 14 of his first team squad. In order to complete the line up, he has called upon Barça B players, who already have experience - albeit very limited, Crosas and Olmo .

Hard pushed to find the back of the net: The Barça attack has proven that it is able to continue being dangerous even in the absence of Eto'o and Messi. Ronaldinho, Deco, Gudjohnsen and other players have talked about how the absence of other players is not noticeable. Now, however, they have the challenge of finding the back of the net against one of the most solid defensive line-ups in the league.

Only two goals have been scored against Getafe in the Alfonso Perez coliseum, and in total they have only let in eleven. New keeper Pato Abbondanzieri has had much to do with these statistics. Despite the positives, it has been nearly two months since ex-blaugrana Bernd Schuster's team have won at home; points which are necessary in order to qualify for the UEFA cup. A new signing in striker Verpakovskis, who could have his first run out this Sunday, may help to Getafe to a much needed victory.

Favourable precedents: Getafe and Barça have only ever played twice in the Alfonso Perez coliseum, and on both occasions the blaugrana have been victorious. The first occasion being on the 27th of November 2004 which saw Deco and Marquez score for a 1-2 win. Last season, Eto'o, Giulyand Motta found the back of the net in a 1-3 win.



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