FC Barcelona defeated Getafe 4-0 at home in Saturday’s first match of the 26th round of the Spanish top league, moving to the second-placed position in the table. However, Robert Lewandowski failed to extend his scoring streak. The Pole rarely had the ball in front of the opponents’ goal due to the adopted strategy.
Thanks to this win, the team led by coach Xavi Hernandez overtook Girona in the table, which had only won a point in the last three rounds. This is also the current advantage of Barcelona over this rival. However, Girona can regain second place on Monday when they host Rayo Vallecano.
BARCELONA’S STRATEGY WAS RIGHT
The pride of Catalonia had to change its playing style a bit on Saturday, wanting to surprise their high-positioned and aggressively pressing opponents. To this end, the hosts started attacking with long passes already in the first half, which brought good results. The biggest threat to the visitors was the dynamic Raphinha, whose teammates often looked for moves from their own half. The Brazilian opened the scoring in the 20th minute, using a precise pass of several dozen meters from Jules Kounde.
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Lewandowski, who had less speed, did not have many chances to play the role of an enforcer with this tactic. However, the Pole participated well in building his team’s offensive actions and should have had at least an assist by the break. In the first part of the match, he twice brilliantly started the aforementioned Raphinha from the front. In the first situation, however, the Brazilian lost the duel with the goalkeeper, and in the next one, he passed the ball inaccurately to Joao Feliks in front of the goal.
Ultimately, the Catalans went into the break with a modest lead, which did not fully reflect their advantage over Getafe.
CONFIRMATION OF DOMINANCE
Barcelona’s players showed even better play after the change of ends, which was reflected in the final result. Just a few minutes after the break, they made a quick move, Andreas Christensen ran down the right wing and, with a precise cross, found Feliks in the penalty area. The latter easily increased the lead.
Just after the hour mark, Frenkie De Jong scored 3-0 after an assist from Raphinha. In turn, Fermin Lopez finished the score in extra time.
Lewandowski also scored for Getafe in the second half of the match, but the referee immediately signaled the Polish striker was offside. This wasn’t a game where he could show off his greatest offensive strengths, breaking his streak of four consecutive games with a goal. However, he was an important element of the team, attracting the attention of rivals and remained on the pitch until the final whistle.
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Lewandowski Barcelona-Getafe
FC BARCELONA – GETAFE 4-0 (1-0)
Goals: Raphinha (20th), Joao Felix (53rd), Frenkie De Jong (61st), Fermin Lopez (90th+2).
RESULTS AND PROGRAM OF THE 26TH ROUND OF THE SPANISH LEAGUE:
Friday, February 23
Real Sociedad – Villarreal CF 1:3
Real Sociedad – Villarreal CF 1:3
Saturday, February 24
Granada CF – Valencia CF (rescheduled)
Deportivo Alaves – RCD Mallorca (6.30 p.m.)
UD Almeria – Atletico Madrid (9 p.m.)
Granada CF – Valencia CF (rescheduled)
Deportivo Alaves – RCD Mallorca (6.30 p.m.)
UD Almeria – Atletico Madrid (9 p.m.)
Sunday, February 25
Cadiz CF – Celta de Vigo (2 p.m.)
Real Betis – Athletic Bilbao (4.15 p.m.)
UD Las Palmas – CA Osasuna (6.30 p.m.)
Real Madrid – Sevilla FC (9 p.m.)
Cadiz CF – Celta de Vigo (2 p.m.)
Real Betis – Athletic Bilbao (4.15 p.m.)
UD Las Palmas – CA Osasuna (6.30 p.m.)
Real Madrid – Sevilla FC (9 p.m.)
Monday, February 26
Girona FC – Rayo Vallecano (9 p.m.)
Girona FC – Rayo Vallecano (9 p.m.)
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