Tonight, FC Barcelona will face Getafe in a decisive match for the 20th day of LaLiga EA Sports. Scheduled to kick off at 9:00 p.m. local time at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, this encounter is crucial for the Blaugrana, who need three points to maintain their title hopes and narrow the gap to the leaders, currently represented by the Madrid clubs.
After a crushing victory against Real Madrid in the final of the Supercopa Española (5-2) and a solid success in the Copa del Rey against Betis, the collective led by Xavi Hernández approaches this match with confidence. However, they are fully aware that any further failure in LaLiga would be unacceptable if they wish to regain the first place they let slip away at the end of 2024.
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For its part, Getafe, under the leadership of José Bordalás, is in the reconstruction phase after a tumultuous first half of the season. Currently in 15th position in the standings with 19 points, the Madrid club recently secured a 2-1 victory against Las Palmas, ending a streak of two consecutive defeats.
Despite their position in the standings, the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez proved to be a difficult venue for opponents. Getafe have three wins, five draws and just two defeats at home this season, highlighting their unpredictability and ability to put Barcelona in trouble.
In their last confrontations, Barcelona showed clear superiority over Getafe. In their last match in September 2024, the Blaugrana won a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a decisive goal from Raphinha. Additionally, Barcelona are on a three-game unbeaten streak at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, a statistic that boosts their confidence heading into this encounter.
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This season in LaLiga, Barcelona have displayed superior offensive power with 51 goals scored and only 22 conceded, while Getafe have scored 13 times and conceded 16 goals. This numerical gap highlights the significant difference between the two teams in the standings, with Barcelona occupying third place with 38 points—19 more than their rival.
FC Barcelona will look to assert their dominance from the start, relying on key players such as Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha and Ferran Torres, who have all been in excellent form of late. However, the team faces a demanding schedule that could affect their physical performance.
On the other hand, Getafe will likely adopt a compact and physical approach, looking to exploit quick transitions to surprise the Catalan side. Mayoral and Coba Gomes will be their main attacking threats, as they look to end their poor run against Barcelona.
LaLiga, with a rich history dating back to 1928—when it had just 10 teams—has grown to become one of the most prestigious competitions in the world, marked by the historic rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, which hold 36 and 27 titles respectively.
As favorites, Barcelona are under pressure not to drop points in their quest for first place. Meanwhile, Getafe, buoyed by their recent victory, will look to cause an upset and secure three points to move away from the relegation zone. Will this be the start of a revival for the Azulones, or will Barcelona confirm their status as title contenders?
