Barcelona placed on one in every of their greatest performances of the season as they thumped Getafe 4-0 on Saturday.
Raphinha netted the one aim in a dominant first-half efficiency from Barcelona, who embraced a extra direct method to punish Getafe’s excessive line, earlier than Joao Felix, Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez acquired in on the enjoyable after the break.
Robert Lewandowski additionally had a aim dominated out for offside in a sport through which Barcelona may have comfortably had seven or eight objectives.
How the sport unfolded
De Jong was caught in possession 5 minutes in and was virtually punished by Mason Greenwood, whose low drive was effectively stored out by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The Barca goalkeeper’s lengthy passes excessive have been his aspect’s greatest path to aim early on, with each Felix and Raphinha getting in behind on separate events earlier than being crowded out by Getafe’s again line.
20 minutes in, nevertheless, and Raphinha did benefit from an opportunity. This time, it was Jules Kounde whose lengthy ball made the distinction and the Brazilian held his nerve to fit past David Soria.
The hosts, who have been taking part in a extra direct type of soccer than regular, may have added a second quickly after as Raphinha’s luxurious cross practically discovered Ilkay Gundogan, who was a hair’s breadth away from heading residence unopposed.
Raphinha then skied one other nice probability as Getafe’s excessive line continued to ask all kinds of issues, earlier than overhitting a cross to Felix which might have given the Portugal worldwide a tap-in with the ultimate kick of the half. Barcelona ought to have simply been two or three objectives forward.
Luis Milla struck the submit with a long-range effort that appeared to unsettle Ter Stegen, however Barcelona quickly regained management and doubled their lead by way of Felix.
On one more counter, it was none aside from Andreas Christensen who went racing by way of and, in contrast to Raphinha earlier, his cut-back was good for Felix to faucet in.
Lewandowski had the ball behind the online quickly after however the offside flag was appropriately raised to spoil his enjoyable, though the third aim wasn’t far behind.
De Jong got here bursting ahead and began a transfer which noticed him faucet into an empty web after Raphinha’s fast toes took the goalkeeper out of the equation.
Barcelona stored coming in the hunt for a fourth aim which their efficiency undoubtedly deserved. Lewandowski stung the gloves of Soria from shut vary because the clock ticked down, however there was nonetheless time for yet another aim as Vitor Roque’s strike was parried into the trail of Fermin for a routine end.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7/10 – Some nice early passing and a handful of good saves when wanted.
RB: Jules Kounde – 8/10 – Nice imaginative and prescient and an ideal cross to arrange Raphinha’s opener. At all times a risk going ahead.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – 7/10 – Had the odd shaky second however was largely in charge of issues. Wasn’t flustered by Getafe’s press.
CB: Ronald Araujo – 6/10 – Not essentially the most convincing on this left aspect of defence however did not get an entire lot fallacious both.
LB: Joao Cancelo – 6/10 – Some good moments however some irritating selections on the ball. A little bit of a combined exhibiting.
DM: Frenkie de Jong – 8/10 – A sluggish begin which noticed him lose possession in some harmful areas, however the Dutchman composed himself ultimately. Did his greatest work defensively and even acquired in on the objectives.
DM: Andreas Christensen – 7/10 – Performed a box-to-box function which gave him the liberty to get ahead and arrange Felix for the second aim.
RM: Raphinha – 8/10 – An enormous risk. Ended with a aim and an help however errors really prevented him from additional boosting his stats.
AM: Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10 – Progressed play at any time when he may. Was clearly making an attempt to get forwards as a lot as potential.
LM: Joao Felix – 7/10 – Some good flicks with these round him to take advantage of Getafe’s horrible defending. Acquired the aim his efficiency deserved after the break.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 7/10 – A selfless efficiency which noticed Lewandowski dropping deep to occupy Getafe’s defenders, releasing up area for the teammates who really had the pace to capitalise on the area behind.
Substitutes
SUB: Fermin Lopez (63′ for Felix) – 7/10
SUB: Vitor Roque (77′ for Raphinha) – 6/10
SUB: Oriol Romeu (77′ for Christensen) – 6/10
SUB: Hector Fort (83′ for Cancelo) – N/A
SUB: Pedri (83′ for Gundogan) – N/A
Subs not used: Inaki Pena (GK), Diego Kochen (GK), Inigo Martinez, Sergi Roberto, Marc Guiu, Lamine Yamal
Supervisor
Xavi – 9/10 – Learn this sport completely. Deserted his ideas in favour of a direct type of play which was the important thing to profitable this match. Nice intelligence from each the supervisor and his squad to make this as snug because it was.
