No goal or winner in this duel between Getafe and Barça (0-0) this Sunday, in Madrid, during the first day of La Liga. The Spanish champions hoped to pocket the three points thanks to a potential penalty at the very end of the match… but the referee finally penalized a hand from Gavi. A chopped, rough match, and marked by an expulsion from each side (Mata for Getafe, Raphinha for Barcelona). Three expulsions in fact since the Barcelona coach Xavi was asked to return to the locker room after a gesture of humor.
For this first official outing of the season, Xavi has chosen to field the flagship rookie of his transfer window, Ilkay Gundogan. Well inspired, the German almost opened his counter in La Liga from the first minutes of the meeting. It was also one of the most notable actions of this very choppy match. The referee spent his time policing, distributing no less than 11 cards, including three red ones.
Uninspired, FC Barcelona dominated but struggled to get clear chances in this part. Getafe put “the bus” from the first minutes. Despite some breakthroughs on counterattacks, José Bordalas’ men were content to maintain the 0-0. The only notable point of the match was the fine performance of David Soria, the local goalkeeper. Elected man of the match, he made four decisive saves on the only flashes of the Catalans. Continuation and end of this first lifting on Monday, with Cadiz-Alaves and the debut of Atlético Antoine Griezmann against Granada.