Getafe vs Barcelona LIVE: Latest score and updates as Lionel Messi goal gives visitors early lead
Barcelona visit Getafe in their first La Liga match following the league’s winter break as they look to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Ernesto Valverde’s team have won their last four league matches since drawing with Atletico Madrid, who are three points behind the leaders in second, in November, and have not lost to Getafe since 2011.
The Barcelona manager recently revealed talks with the club on his future will be put on hold until the end of the season. "In football you never know what will happen. The contract has an optional year and at the end of the season we will decide. We have not even reached the middle of the season," he told the club’s in-house TV channel.
Barcelona can move five points clear at the top of La Liga with a win over Getafe at the Coliseum today. Ernesto Valverde's side have not kicked a ball in 2019, but the year has been almost perfect for them thus far. Atletico Madrid and Sevilla shared the points in a top of the table clash earlier today, while Real Madrid were beaten at home against Real Sociedad.
It leaves the Blaugrana in an excellent position. But today's game will not be easy. Getafe are in seventh and enjoying a very good season. José Bordalás's team boast the joint best defensive record in the division - they have conceded just 13 goals and only four of them have come at home. Lionel Messi, then, may find things more difficult than usual.
Barcelona are dominating the ball in the early stages but Getafe, as expected, are harrying, not allowing the visitors to play their usually fluid football. Denying Messi space will be key for the hosts tonight.
Dembele surges through the middle, beats a couple of Getafe players and finds himself in the box. He cuts inside and goes down under a challenge, but the referee ignores his appeals for a penalty.
The hosts get their first shot off. Rodríguez is picked out on the edge of the box and hits one first time. It flies over the bar, but it's a promising attack for Getafe.
Getafe have the ball in the net, and the fans celebrate. But it's disallowed. A cross into the box is converted by Mata, who wheels away in delight. The hosts are penalised, though, for a push on Lenglet. It looks suspiciously like he might have gone down far too easily.
Messi, for the first time, picks up the ball with some space to run at Getafe. He's met with a wall of blue shirts and Dakonam comes away with the ball.
Barcelona's Arthur then picks up a yellow for raising his arms in an aerial challenge.
Barcelona are getting away with some odd decisions. Vidal plays a looping back pass to Ter Stegen, putting the goalkeeper under pressure. He chests the ball and clears, winning a free kick in the process. Typically unflappable goalkeeping from the German.
Who else but Messi? The ball drops in the box and the Argentine reacts quickest, darting past the goalkeeper and converting into an empty net from a tight angle. He's been quiet so far but pops up when it matters. Barcelona lead.
Getafe goalkeeper Soria is required to prevent Barcelona scoring a second. Messi plays a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Suarez, who tries to finish from a tight angle. Soria is out quickly to save.
Dembele spots the run of Alba and plays the ball into his path. The full back's ball across goal is dangerous but no Barcelona player can reach it. Cabrera, off balance, manages to hook it clear.
Soria saves Getafe again. Messi does brilliantly to feed Alba, who squares for Pique. The centre back looks certain to score, but his shot is too close to the goalkeeper. Barcelona are well on top now.
Dembele prods the ball into Suarez on the edge of the box, and the former Liverpool man looks to pick out the bottom corner. His shot flies just wide, but a second goal, if Barcelona continue to play as they are, seems inevitable.
It's all a bit too easy for Barcelona at the moment. They're in complete control of the ball and Getafe are struggling to prevent them from creating chances. Something needs to change, you feel, if the hosts are to get anything from this game.
Superb from Luis Suarez! Messi whips in a free kick, which is headed clear only as far as the Uruguayan. He strikes the ball on the volley and catches it perfectly. Soria has no chance. Barcelona, deservedly, are 2-0 up, cruising towards another victory.
Getafe vs Barcelona begins at 18:45 GMT at Coliseum Aldonso Perez.
Where to watch
Eleven Sports are showing live online coverage on Eleven Sports 1
Odds
Getafe to win: 6/1
Barcelona to win: 2/5
Draw: 4/1
Prediction
Getafe 0-3 Barcelona: Lionel Messi and co were in great form before the winter break and there is no reason to believe that they can’t continue that run, starting with Getafe in Madrid.
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