Getafe(4-4-2): Abbondanzieri, Cortes, Diaz, Mario, Licht, Pablo ( Granero, 70' ), Casquero, De La Red, Sousa ( Pallardo, 81' ), Uche, Manu ( Albin, 68' ) Manager: Michael Laudrup
Match Report:
FC Barcelona failed to take advantage and climb to the top of the La Liga table after having their best opportunity to do that against Getafe. The match commenced with quick passes and high expectations as the major highlight of the game was FC Barcelona's attempt to reverse their away game misfortunes and secure a victory against the lowly hosts in their backyard.
The first real chance of the game came to Pablo who sent a distant shot on target in the 17th minute. Seconds later, Nigerian striker, Ikechukwu Uche prodcuced the first real scare for Barca when he outwitted Gabriel Milito and released a shot which keeper Victor Valdes saved to prevent a goal for the home team.
Barca's responded five minutes later with their best chance of the game, when Henry latched onto a precise Iniesta through ball on 23 minutes, only for the keeper to stop his effort with his legs. Argentine defender, Milito also came close, running in from the defence to contest a corner, and then rising to nod the ball narrowly over the bar.
Barca were beginning to get the upper hand in the game, and held the ball for the next two minutes only to lose it through a foul, and what a costly loss it was. After rampaging Ikechukwu Uche was fouled around the Barca area, the resulting free-kick cut deep in, locating Cata Diaz who nodded down for Del Moral to bang in the ball for Getafe's first goal of the match in the 27th minute.
The goal unsettled Barca's game pattern as the visitors lost their rythm and confidence. Ronaldinho collided badly and fell, clutching his shin and was taken out for treatment. Getafe took advantage of the Brazilian's absence to launch an attack. Uche picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and back-heeled into the area where David Sousa ran forward only to see his shot pushed away for a corner by Valdés.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Getafe, and Barca went into the dressing room needing to work on their game and also on their psychology.
The second half commenced with signs that Barca had improved upon their psycology. After Thuram was replaced Zambrotta, Iniesta's low drive showed signs of an improved Blaugrana, but that wasn't to be. Barca fell back again into their dismal away form and Getafe took over the game. Ikechukwu Uche broke away from the right, as was becoming a common scene, and dashed toward the Barca goal post amid cheers from the home fans. The Nigerian's powerful shot flew over the far post and danger was averted.
This 63rd minute scare made Rijkaard rise from his seat to make changes. Giovani dos Santos came in for Ronaldinho and the game witnessed one more substitution from Barca when Boajn Krkic came in for Lionel Messi in the 74th minute. The two starlets tried to change the difficult game but were not able to. Getafe thus continued their roller-coaster ride. There was a lot of pressure on Barca and this produced the ugly side when Zambrotta fouled Getafe's Lucas Licht, earning the Italian defender a red card in the 86th minute.
Uche left his final mark on a disorganised Barca squad when he popped up again in the 90th minute to laid a great pass for Albin who controlled the ball and fired into the opponents net. Valdes had little chance of stopping the ball. FC Barcelona were down 2-0 and trailed off the rest of the match with that scoreline.
My Comments:
It's quite unfortunate that a club of high standing like FC Barcelona have to struggle with the lower-end teams to salvage even a point from all their away games. These sort of results will in no way help the cause of the Catalan giants to win the 2007/08 La Liga title. Not only will Real Madrid likely increase their lead to four points gap after their home game today, Villarreal may also race ahead of Barca and leave the Blaugrana sprawling as they slide further down the table.
Only time will tell if Barca really possess what it takes to be champions. A great away record is an unavoidable element in the quest to rise to the top of any championship.
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