Barcelona 1-0 Getafe (25 September 2024) Match Analysis

A first-half goal from top scorer Robert Lewandowski gave struggling Barcelona a 1-0 win in LaLiga against bottom-of-the-table Getafe on Wednesday, securing their 100 percent record after seven games.

Barcelona, ​​​​resting Pedri and without injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, Fermin Lopez and Andreas Christensen, took the lead in the 19th minute through Lewandowski's close-range strike following a bad mistake by Getafe goalkeeper David Soria.

“For me (Lewandowski) is the best number 9 of the last ten years,” said Hansi Flick after the victory. “His job is in front of the goal, in the penalty area, and he does that brilliantly. The players around him make the final pass and that happens. Even today, when you look at the goal, it's fantastic. It was the first time in the first half that we played quickly, with three passes and scored a goal. That's what we want to see.”

The hosts dominated proceedings with almost 80% possession and 16 shots on goal, but missed numerous chances to win by a larger margin.

With this triumph, Barcelona celebrates its second-best start to the league ever, equalling the seven victories it achieved at the start of the 2017/18 season. At the start of the 2013/14 season, the Catalan club won eight consecutive games.

Barcelona have outscored their opponents 23-5 in their first seven games this season and are four points ahead of defending champions Real Madrid, who beat Alaves 3-2 on Tuesday.

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Lewandowski scored his seventh goal of the league in the 19th minute from close range, making him the top scorer, collecting a loose ball in the box after Getafe goalkeeper David Soria failed to hold onto a high cross into the box.

The Polish striker, who scored twice in Sunday's 5-1 win over Villarreal, was replaced by Pedri in the 77th minute.

Iñaki Peña started in goal instead of Marc-André ter Stegen, who suffered a serious knee injury in his team's last league game.

The FC Barcelona players entered the field wearing a T-shirt with words of appreciation for ter Stegen, one of the team's captains.

Getafe, which almost equalised in injury time, remains winless and in second-to-last place.

“We already knew a lot about the club, which usually plays so closely against Getafe,” said Flick. “In the first half, we lacked speed in our combination play. That's why they were able to close the spaces. It's very important that we fight for 95, 96 minutes and I'm proud of that. The team was not only able to play football, but to fight with a fantastic mentality.”

This summary uses information from Reuters and The Associated Press.