Barcelona kicks off their 2025 La Liga campaign against Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, boasting an impressive 16 goals in their last four games. However, their recent record at the venue is concerning, with their last win dating back to 2019. Since then, Getafe has held them to three goalless draws and secured one victory. Barcelona’s high-powered offense will face a stiff test against Getafe’s disciplined defense, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup.
A whole different ballgame
Barcelona has been in scintillating form, dismantling the defenses of Real Madrid and Real Betis in their last two outings, scoring five goals against each team with alarming ease. The Catalan giants expertly exposed and capitalized on the weaknesses in their opponents’ backlines.
Real Madrid’s defense was vulnerable due to the struggles of Aurelien Tchouameni and Lucas Vazquez, while a lack of cohesion among the back four created opportunities for Hansi Flick’s team to exploit during transitions.
Getafe’s attempt to employ a high defensive line backfired, as Barcelona’s midfielders consistently found space to play through balls that easily pierced the defense, creating numerous scoring opportunities.
Getafe poses a unique challenge for Barcelona, requiring them to adapt to a different style of play, and their effectiveness on counter-attacks will likely limit Barcelona’s scoring opportunities
Getafe, under Jose Bordalas, is known for its ultra-defensive approach, with players dropping deep to form a compact, two-layered defensive wall that protects their goal. In fact, it’s likely that almost the entire team, up to nine outfield players, will be deployed in a deep defensive position.
Breaking down Getafe’s solid defense will be a daunting task, pushing Barcelona to showcase their clinical finishing skills. Moreover, even if they manage to create scoring opportunities, converting those limited chances into goals will present an equally formidable challenge.
The goalkeeper dilemma
Inaki Pena’s status as Hansi Flick’s preferred goalkeeper has been disrupted by the impressive performances of Wojciech Szczesny. Szczesny’s strong showings in recent matches, including the Spanish Super Cup semifinal and final, have given Flick a selection dilemma ahead of the Getafe clash. With both goalkeepers available, it remains to be seen who will start in goal and potentially become the regular league goalkeeper.
Barcelona’s recent struggles in La Liga have resulted in the team losing its lead and falling out of the top two in the standings. A series of disappointing results, including defeats to Real Sociedad, Las Palmas, Leganes, and Atletico Madrid, as well as draws against Real Betis and Celta Vigo, have left the team with no margin for error. With the season halfway over, Barcelona trails leaders Atletico de Madrid by six points and Real Madrid by five points, making it imperative that they start winning consistently to remain in the title race.
