Barcelona 2-1 Getafe: Depay makes the difference as shaky Barca beat strugglers

Memphis Depay struck an exquisite winner as Barcelona edged out Getafe 2-1 at Camp Nou, with the Dutch forward able to celebrate a feat that was last achieved a decade ago.

His 30th-minute strike made Depay the first Barcelona player to be involved in a goal in each of his first three appearances in LaLiga since Cesc Fabregas in 2011, and it was a classic finish from the Dutch forward that saw him match the former playmaker.

Depay had an assist in Barcelona's opening win over Real Sociedad, then scored in the draw at Athletic Bilbao, and his first league goal at home for the Blaugrana proved to be decisive.

Sergi Roberto's second-minute strike had been cancelled out by former Barca forward Sandro Ramirez, but Sunday's disjointed display from the hosts was still enough for three points thanks to former Lyon man Depay.

Barcelona made a strong start, with Sergi Roberto sliding home their opener after 99 seconds, the earliest Barcelona have scored in a LaLiga game under Ronald Koeman. Jordi Alba's low cross from the left was cleverly dummied by Martin Braithwaite at the near post and Sergi Roberto powered in the finish.

Getafe pulled level in the 19th minute, however, with a pair of former Barca players involved. Sandro struck a fine finish low into the left corner after exchanging passes with Carles Alena on the edge of the penalty area.

Depay's moment arrived on the half hour, collecting a pass from fellow Dutchman Frenkie de Jong on the left and cutting in, teasing defender Juan Iglesias before smashing a powerful shot inside the near post.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen was back for this match after knee surgery, and the Barca goalkeeper took a clattering just before half-time, Enes Unal challenging forcefully as the German clutched a long-range shot from Mauro Arambarri at the second attempt.

Ter Stegen saved from Nemanja Maksimovic just before the hour as Getafe sought a second equaliser, and an unmarked Sergi Roberto headed straight at David Soria from Clement Lenglet's cross moments later.

Barcelona were far from convincing, still obviously missing the influence of the departed Lionel Messi, and the second half was awfully scrappy.

But in the absence of anything discernably threatening from a lacklustre Antoine Griezmann, Depay's matchwinning qualities made the difference, even if he did squander a golden chance late on, volleying over from close range.

What does it mean?

Judging by what we saw here, Depay might be carrying this Barcelona team much in the way Messi was obliged to do last season. The home side had a meagre seven shots in this contest and Depay had three of those. They have not had fewer shots in a LaLiga game since managing just five against Real Madrid in 2013.

Dutch traditions continue
Barcelona have a longstanding Dutch connection, and it was Netherlands team-mates Depay and De Jong who combined to clinical effect here. The winner was the first LaLiga goal with a Dutch scorer and assist since March 2009, when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Arjen Robben combined for Real Madrid. It was the first for Barcelona since January 2004 (Patrick Kluivert and Giovanni van Bronckhorst).

Same old story for Getafe

As well as they played, Getafe were presumably half-expecting not to win this game. They have now played 17 away games against Barcelona in LaLiga without a win (W0 D4 L13). Arambarri was outstanding in midfield, winning 77.3 per cent of his game-high 22 duels, but Getafe have lost all three of their games so far, in what could be a trying season.

Key Opta Facts

Barcelona have conceded four goals in their first three LaLiga games this season, the fourth time they conceded at least four goals at this stage of the competition in the 21st century (five in 2000-01, four in 2016-17 and five in 2019-20). They did not finish first at the end of the season in any of those campaigns.

Sergi Roberto's goal (one minute and 39 seconds) is the earliest for Barcelona since June 2020, when Arturo Vidal scored against Mallorca after one minute and five seconds and the earliest at home since Luis Suarez against Valencia in April 2015 (56 seconds).

Sergi Roberto has scored two goals in his last three games for Barcelona, as many as in his previous 81 games in all competitions.

Sandro is the sixth Spanish player to score for and against Barcelona in LaLiga in the 21st century after Santi Ezquerro, David Villa, Luis Garcia, Paco Alcacer and Junior Firpo.

What's next?

Barcelona's clash with Sevilla immediately after the international break is set to be postponed, LaLiga said on Sunday, so their next outing will be the home Champions League group game against Bayern Munich on September 14. Getafe will host Elche in LaLiga on the previous day, if LaLiga's rearranging of the next round of games gets Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) approval.