Getafe Record Famous Win As Barça Woes Continue
Getafe 2 - 0 FC Barcelona
Getafe recorded their first ever win in the league against FC Barcelona as they continued their great run of form, while the visitors suffered another disastrous away day performance after seeing Gianluca Zambrotta sent off
Manu del Moral put the hosts ahead in the first half and late strike from Juan Ángel Albín finally ended any hopes Barça had of snatching a point in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.
Michael Laudrup's side defended in numbers and hit their opponents on the break to great affect and have finally turned the corner as the triumph is their third consecutive victory in the league.
The Blaugrana had their chances, but the display was starkly different from the confident and dominating performance that saw them defeat Rangers with some ease in midweek.
With only one away win all season, it is easy to see why they have struggled on their travels as a failure to reproduce the quick passing and rapid movement and runs from the forwards cost them dearly.
Credit must go to Getafe for their ability to contain Barça, but in reality it was another lacklustre game on the road for Frank Rijkaard's team.
With the home team packing the midfield whenever the visitors had possession, there was not a great deal of flowing football in either half in a game that ended with the Blagruana's frustration finally boiling over.
Pablo had the first shot of the evening as he fired over from distance, but it was not until the 17th minute that Víctor Valdés had to make his first real save of the game.
Ikechukwu Uche cut in from the right wing and, after skipping past Gaby Milito, rifled a shot goalwards that the Catalan custodian did well to parry away.
Barça sprang into life after that scare and Carles Puyol was heavily involved down the right as he pushed forward from his full-back position.
Thierry Henry had, arguably, Barça's best chance of the game in the 24th minute as Andrés Iniesta slotted a pass in front of the French striker, but as he took aim he was denied by the approaching Abbondanzieri.
Moments later Milito was allowed to rise and meet a corner from Xavi only for the Argentinian defender to head over the crossbar.
Getafe rode out the storm and then made their opponents pay as they scored the opening goal in the 28th minute when Cata Diaz nodded down a deep free-kick and Del Moral strode in to steer the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The doubts looked to be creeping back into Barça's game as they were unable to find any fluidity to their play and constantly tried things that were unnecessary and played into the opposition's hands.
Just before the break, Getafe took advantage of Ronaldinho's absence as he received treatment on the sidelines, to produce the best move of the game.
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.
Zambrotta came on for Lilian Thuram as Puyol returned to the centre of defence, but the change and the half-time team talk did little to alter Barça's style.
Iniesta drive a shot wide of the post in the opening minutes of the second period, but he was alone in being to create space as the visitors invariably ran at opponents and lost the ball or misplaced passes.
In the 63rd minute Uche edged in from the right again and this time went for goal himself, but the ball flew wide of the far post and away from danger.
Ronaldinho and Messi were withdrawn after ineffective performances, before Zambrotta joined them from an early bath after being sent off.
The Italian defender flew into a challenge with Lucas Licht on the right flank and, despite touching the ball, connected with the Getafe player's legs and there was little complaint from anyone with the referee's decision.
With ten men, Barça actually looked lively, but their tired legs began to show in the closing moments and they were caught out with a classic counter-attack in ijury time.
Uche skipped past Touré before edging towards the area and flicking the ball across to the unmarked Albín. The Argentinian had time to pull the ball down before sliding it into the far corner of the net.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com