Barcelona in Getafe Match Preview
Barcelona face a team who are increasingly establishing themselves as one of the most dangerous teams in LaLiga when Getafe start their visit to the Estadi Johan Cruyff a point behind the reigning champions.
Barca’s squad trained and had warm-down sessions in Newcastle on Friday after beating the Magpies 2-1 in their Champions League opener courtesy of on-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford’s first two goals for the club.
“I told Deco this summer, ‘please get me a player like Marcus Rashford,” manager Hansi Flick said afterwards.
“I’m very happy to have him here. Rashford was an opportunity in the transfer market and we had to take it.
“I’m glad we did. I spoke to him and said ‘I need you in my team.’ This is a good step for Rashford. It will give him a lot of confidence.”
Rashford’s performance made the absence of Lamine Yamal less lamentable for Barca but Getafe manager Jose Bordalas, who is in his second spell at the club and guided them to 12th last season, hopes the potentially huge threat to his side is involved.
“A player like Lamine Yamal brings joy to those of us who love football,” said Bordalas, via AS. “I hope he can be on the pitch.
“I’m the coach but, despite that, I love football and I always want the best players to play. Barcelona have many strengths, many options.
“We don’t have anything special prepared; the best thing is to play as we know how, to be able to minimise the opponent’s strengths and showcase our own with courage and daring.”
Barcelona in Getafe Team News
As well as Yamal’s potential absence, Barca will be without goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back), Alejandro Balde (hamstring) and midfielder Gavi (knee).
Pau Cubarsi is a doubt and fellow defender Ronald Araujo suffered cramp at Newcastle, according to Sports Worldwho suggested Flick will rotate his starting side.
Getafe captain Djene Dakonam had to be substituted at half-time because of dizziness in scorching heat during his side’s 2-0 home win against Oviedo on September 13.
Bordalas said the defender was feeling unwell and “had chills” but the 33-year-old, who broke Getafe’s appearance record in the game with a 296th game for the club, appeared well when he previewed the trip to Barca with the media this week.
Dakonam’s replacement – 17-year-old Davinchi – has been called up for Spain Under-19s, while on-loan Zaragoza winger Adrian Liso, 20, will join the national side at the Under-20 World Cup from the end of this month.
Barcelona in Getafe Predicted Line-ups
Barcelona starting XI: Martin, Martin, Martin, Martin, Roony, Roony Bardghji, Fermin Lopez, Marcus Rashford,
Getafe starting XI: David Soria, Kiko Femenia, Abdel Abqar, Domingos Duarte, Djene Dakonam, Diego Rico, Mario Martin, Luis Milla, Mauro Arambarri, Adrian Liso, Borja Mayoral
How to watch Barcelona v Getafe: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Sunday is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and streaming available on a vast range of devices via the Premier Sports app.
A Premier Sports subscription costs £120 a year, £11.99 per month on a 12-month contract or £16.99 per month with 30 days’ cancellation notice required.
