After an extended international break, it was back to business in the league for Barca, and the chance to make it eight La Liga wins from eight games against Getafe. Let’s take a look at three talking points that shaped the 3-0 result.
An expected lack of zip
The first matches back after an international break are often flat affairs, and for long periods, this game was no different.
Of course, much of that had to do with Getafe’s ultra-defensive 5-4-1 shape, which made Barca’s life more difficult than it needed to be.
Anthony
Gordon looked lively and deserved his luck for his first Barca goal, and it was great to see Gabriel Jesus looking something like his old self too.
In more general terms, the hosts have little to reproach themselves for, too, given that the game was won with relative ease.
Any lack of rhythm can certainly be overlooked in a match where it was clear that the visitors were looking not to lose rather than going for a win.
The curious case of Dani Olmo
It seems that whenever a column is written about Dani Olmo, it’s quite polarising.
Though it has to be said that the Spaniard’s performances could be said to be just that, in the sense that you never quite know which Dani Olmo is going to turn up.
Against Getafe, his was a performance of understated excellence. Not headline-grabbing, but not poor either.
What he had to do, he did well, and he was a decent conduit between defence and attack in what was, at times, an incredibly congested midfield.
His frustration at not scoring just before the hour was evident, and on another night that chance may be one that he would’ve taken.
However, his work rate was on point; he was consistently available to keep the attacks moving, and if his goal was to give Hansi Flick a little nudge, he can’t have done too much more.
Gordon and Jesus shine in Raphinha’s absence
Three goals, a decent amount of squad rotation, no injuries… right before another round of Champions League games, this match could hardly have gone better from Barca’s point of view.
Getafe have proven to be something of a stubborn opponent in the past, but the result was never in doubt once Gordon put the hosts ahead.
Sometimes games aren’t going to be pretty, and in those instances, it’s all about just getting the job done – which Barca have failed to do in the past.
Flick can point to Jesus getting 80 minutes of action, Jules Kounde regaining some confidence – and perhaps starting as he means to go on – Lamine Yamal not having to over-exert himself, and captain Eric Garcia casually dropping a quality showing at centre-back as a number of positives.
Eight games, eight wins, 34 goals scored, and just seven conceded… it doesn’t get any better than that.
