Barcelona have didn’t kick off their La Liga title defence on a promising observe after they had been held by Getafe in a goalless draw on the Coliseum Alfonso. The fixture changed into a heated affair as three pink playing cards had been brandished by match referee Cesar Soto Grado. Barcelona supervisor Xavi Hernandez was one of many three who was given the marching orders. The Spaniard was proven a pink card after complaining a couple of determination within the 71st minute.
In a post-match interplay, Xavi was requested to open up in regards to the on-field face-off with the referee. The 43-year-old advised DAZN, “I told him that they were allowing a lot of fouls and we weren’t [having them given], that’s why he sent me off. The other day we had a meeting with the referees and one of the first changes they were going to implement in the regulations was that they would understand the coaches more because we are in a [state of] tension.”
‘My expulsion does not matter, we’ve got tried in each means [to win] towards a really rocky opponent. We took some extent that’s inadequate, it is a disgrace,” Xavi was quoted as saying.
Barcelona dominated the early phase of the game with winger Raphinha putting the home side’s defense under severe pressure. Raphina almost scored the opening goal of the night in the 36th minute but Getafe custodian David Soria blocked the close-range shot to keep the score line unchanged. Six minutes later, Raphina was sent off for hitting opposition defender Gaston Alvarez with the elbow.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men after midfielder Jaime Mata was shown a second yellow card in the 57th minute for illegally challenging Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
Despite enjoying a ball possession of 75 per cent, Barcelona failed to find the back of the net even once. Match officials’ decision to add a lengthy period of time also infuriated the Barcelona manager. “It is also a shame that he gave 20 minutes in added time. We are making fools of ourselves, it’s ridiculous. Last year we started the same way and look how we ended up (as champions). I’m happy because we played well with 10-men … We had chances but we didn’t manage to take advantage of them,” Xavi said.
Barcelona’s last La Liga win, at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, was in 2019. Since then, the Catalan giants have registered three draws and one defeat. In their next game, on August 20, the defending La Liga champions will face Cadiz.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
