Getafe, August 13, 2023 – Barcelona faced a vexing start to their LaLiga season opener, as they were held to a goalless draw in an intense showdown against Getafe. The match, marked by a series of bookings and three red cards, including the ejection of visiting manager Xavi Hernandez, unfolded as a gritty affair on Sunday.
Despite dominating the early proceedings under the sweltering heat of southern Madrid, reigning champions Barcelona were met with staunch resistance from the Getafe side. Brazil winger Raphinha emerged as a key threat, relentlessly attacking the right channel and creating numerous opportunities.
Raphinha nearly orchestrated Barcelona’s breakthrough in the 36th minute, only for goalkeeper David Soria to thwart his close-range strike. The deflection bounced off a teammate and narrowly missed the mark.
However, frustration escalated as Raphinha’s composure wavered, leading to his dismissal in the 42nd minute for an off-the-ball elbow to Gaston Alvarez’s head.
In the second half, Getafe’s Jaime Mata received his marching orders in the 57th minute after a robust challenge on Ronald Araujo earned him a second yellow card, resulting in a level playing field.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, last season’s LaLiga top scorer, came close to breaking the deadlock with a close-range header, only to see Alvarez clear it off the line in the 63rd minute.
Manager Xavi Hernandez’s frustrations boiled over, and he was also shown a red card in the 71st minute following a dispute with the match officials.
Controversy continued to mar the encounter, as added time saw further drama. Referee Cesar Soto Grado’s decision not to award a penalty for an apparent foul on Araujo stirred contention. After a VAR consultation and a pitchside monitor review, a handball in the buildup was eventually signaled, adding to the unfolding chaos.
The match’s added time extended to nearly 20 minutes, punctuated by vehement protests from both sides. Ultimately, Barcelona had to settle for a single point, maintaining a trend of challenging results at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Their last LaLiga victory at this venue dates back to 2019, with subsequent encounters yielding three goalless draws and a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Getafe.
A visibly frustrated Xavi expressed his discontent, stating, “The referee is the one who allowed it to escalate that far, it is what it is.” He pointed to the contentious officiating decisions, including the VAR-assisted handball call that annulled a potential penalty.
He further lamented the extended added time, labeling the situation as “ridiculous” and emphasizing the need for self-improvement. Despite the challenging start, Xavi remained resolute and positive, citing the team’s strong performance with ten players and the untapped opportunities that lay ahead.
