Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Getafe and Barcelona from Madrid.
Getafe have made a positive start to the 2017-18 La Liga season – collecting four points from their first three fixtures to sit in 10th position.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have won all three of their league matches this term – beating Real Betis, Alaves and Espanyol without conceding a single goal.
Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage of the action from Madrid.
2.31pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Madrid as Getafe welcome Barcelona for what should be an entertaining game of football. Getafe have made a positive start to the 2017-18 campaign – collecting four points from their first three matches to sit in 11th position. Barcelona, meanwhile, are currently atop the table with a 100% record thus far. Stay tuned for the action!
2.34pmGetafe have not beaten Barcelona in La Liga since November 2011, although that 1-0 success did come in this very stadium. Since then, Barcelona have won nine of their 11 fixtures in all competitions, including a 2-0 victory in Madrid during the 2015-16 season. Their last clash came at Camp Nou in March 2016, when Barcelona put six unanswered goals past El Geta.
2.37pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Any changes from Barcelona's mid-week exertions in the Champions League?
© Offside
2.40pmTEAMS!
GETAFE: Guaita; D.Suarez, Dakonam, Cala, Antunes; Bergara, Arambarri; Diedhiou, Shibasaski, Fajr; Molina
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Dembele, Suarez, Messi
2.43pmNo real surprises in the Getafe XI this afternoon, with experienced forward Jorge Molina once again leading the line for the capital outfit. Japan international Gaku Shibasaki also starts in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but Dani Pacheco and Jefferson Montero are still on the sidelines for El Geta.
2.46pmBarcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has made just the one change from the 3-0 win over Juventus on Tuesday night, with Sergi Roberto replacing Nelson Semedo at right-back. Ousmane Dembele starts his first La Liga game alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the final third, while Andres Iniesta keeps his position in the team. Summer signing Paulinho is once again on the Barcelona bench.
© AFP
2.49pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just under 30 minutes from kickoff in Madrid. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Barcelona, who currently sit top of La Liga with nine points from their first three matches. A 5-0 win over Espanyol last weekend followed back-to-back 2-0 victories over Real Betis and Alaves in their first two fixtures.
2.52pmBarcelona will also enter this match off the back of a 3-0 win over Juventus in their Champions League group opener on Tuesday night. As a result, Valverde's side have won their last four in all competitions – scoring 12 times in the process and conceding zero. It has been an excellent few weeks for Barcelona, who will fancy their chances of putting another win on the board here.
2.55pm
🚌 Coliseum Alfonso Pérez
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 16, 2017
⚽️ #GetafeBarça
🔵🔴 #ForçaBarça! pic.twitter.com/S8nTnamR5i
2.58pmMany Barcelona supporters feared the worst after losing 5-1 to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup last month, but the Catalan giants still have a certain Lionel Messi in their ranks, and the Argentine has been sensational thus far this season. When considering that Barcelona's next three league games after this one are against Eibar, Girona and Las Palmas, Valverde's side could realistically win their first seven La Liga games of the season without breaking a sweat.
3.02pmArguably Barcelona's first real test in the league does not arrive until October 14, when they travel to Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid have already dropped four home league points this season, and Los Blancos have a tough trip to high-flying Real Sociedad tonight. It is not against all possibilities that Barcelona could have a six-point gap or so by the middle of next month. Kickoff is now just around the corner here!
3.05pmAs for Getafe, they opened their season with an impressive goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao, before suffering a 1-0 defeat at home to Sevilla. El Geta returned to winning ways last time out, however, after recording a 2-1 victory at Leganes. A total of four points has left them in 11th position in the table, and even a defeat here would still make it a positive start to the 2017-18 campaign.
3.08pm
5 - Barcelona was the first side to score five goals against Getafe in La Liga at the Coliseum (2-5 on December 2013). Remember. pic.twitter.com/wiXXW7l1Gk
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 16, 2017
3.12pmAfter 12 successive campaigns in La Liga, Getafe were relegated to the second tier at the end of the 2015-16 season. They bounced back at the first time of asking, however, after coming through the Segunda playoffs last term. It is a club that is used to operating at the highest level, and they actually finished sixth in La Liga as recent as 2010. Right, we are just about ready for kickoff here!
0 minKICKOFF! Barcelona kick things off in Madrid...
2 min... SAVE! Ter Stegen has to drop down to keep out a strike from Molina after the Getafe forward had been found by Diedhiou. Excellent start from the home side here.
4 minAs expected, Barcelona are dominating the possession in the early stages, with Iniesta, Rakitic and Busquets all seeing plenty of the ball. Dembele has also been buzzing about on the right here.
6 minDiedhiou has been bright for Getafe in the opening six minutes of this match, with the number 23 using his pace to break free on a couple of occasions. Barcelona will need to be wary of that danger, but the visitors have had almost all of the possession in the early exchanges here.
8 minNot too much for Getafe goalkeeper Guaita to be worried about in the opening eight minutes of this match, with Barcelona yet to carve out a shooting chance. That said, the away side are dominating the ball as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Getafe are holding a high line.
10 minDembele finds space down the right for the away side, but the Frenchman trips over his own feet after attempting to dance past Antunes. Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
10 minFajr's deflected strike from distance is easily gathered by Ter Stegen.
10 minBOOKING! Pique (Barcelona) is booked for pulling Molina to the ground just outside the Barcelona box. Was so close to being a penalty for the home side there!
11 minAntunes strikes from the edge of the box, but his effort is blocked, and eventually Bergara fires into the stands. Dangerous couple of moments for Barcelona, who need to wake up here.
12 minBarcelona are quite uncomfortable at the moment as Getafe continue to force the issue.
13 minAlba breaks into the Getafe box, but the offside flag is raised.
16 minPossession football for Barcelona as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Getafe have been defensively sound in the opening 16 minutes of this match. Nothing much from Suarez, Messi or Dembele, but the game is still very young. As we know, it can change very quickly indeed.
17 minCLOSE! Oh my word! Wonderful chance for the home side as a deflected cross from Shibasaki threatens to fall for Molina at the far post, but the striker makes contact too late, and the ball is wide of the post! Wonderful opportunity for Getafe to make the breakthrough here.
20 minThis has been a very uncomfortable 20 minutes for Barcelona, who really should be behind. Getafe have had a couple of really good chances, but have been unable to make the breakthrough here.
22 minGetafe continue to enjoy themselves on home soil as a lacklustre Barcelona struggle in the final third of the field. We have hardly seen anything from Dembele, Messi or Neymar in this match.
24 minPossession football for Barcelona, but not too much else at the moment.
25 minThis does not look great for Dembele as the Frenchman goes down holding his thigh.
26 minBARCELONA SUB! Deulofeu replaces the injured Dembele, who limped off the field.
28 minBarcelona continue to dominate the possession, but the away side have still not had a single shot on target. It has been pretty poor from the Catalan outfit, although Getafe deserve a lot of credit.
29 minFinally Barcelona have a shot on target, but Guaita saves comfortable from Deulofeu.
32 minMolina continues to cause Barcelona problems in the final third of the field, but the striker is ruled offside after the ball had broken for Diedhiou in a dangerous position. Still Barcelona struggle in the final third of the field as Cala heads clear under pressure from Messi. It remains all square in Madrid.
32 minCHANCE! Umtiti heads an Iniesta cross straight at Guaita from close range!
32 minBOOKING! Cala (Getafe) is booked for a late tackle on Messi.
34 minPlenty happening in terms of challenges at the moment as both teams bite into tackles in the middle of the park. Getafe are making this a very uncomfortable game for Barcelona.
36 minDakonam is left on the ground after the Getafe centre-back had clashed with Luis Suarez, who looked to stand on the foot of the defender. That was a little bit naughty from the Uruguay forward.
38 minWhile Getafe have been impressive, they have not had to be excellent to prevent Barcelona from scoring. It is not as if Guaita has been forced to make save after save in the first period.
39 minAnother Barcelona attack breaks down after Iniesta had attempted to feed Luis Suarez in a dangerous position. Getafe have been so well-drilled defensively in the opening 41 minutes of this match. Barcelona, however, only need one second, a moment of brilliance, to take the lead here.
39 minGOAL! Getafe 1-0 Barcelona (Shibasaki)
40 minOh my word! The home side take the lead in the 39th minute as Shibasaki fires a sensational volley into the top corner. It is a stunning strike from the Japan international!
42 minBarcelona have been so poor in the first half of this match.
44 minStill a lot of football to be played in this match, but Barcelona will need to find a few more levels if they are to avoid defeat this afternoon. Getafe have possession in the final stages of the first period.
45 min+1Pique just cannot get to trips with Molina here as the Getafe forward continues to cause problems in the final third. Fajr is next to unleash for the hosts, but his wild effort reaches the stands.
45 min+2We are into the second of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
45 min+2SAVE! Stunning save from Guaita to keep out a Messi free kick!
45 min+3HALF-TIME: Getafe 1-0 Barcelona
4.03pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Getafe leading Barcelona 1-0 courtesy of a stunning volley from Shibasaki. The hosts have been excellent in the opening 45 minutes against a very off-colour Barcelona. The league leaders trail at the half-time interval here.
4.08pmSTATISTICS! Getafe have only had 26% possession, but they have had eight attempts - three of which were on target. Barcelona, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their three attempts. Two bookings to report - Pique in the book for Barcelona, and Cala having his name taken for Getafe.
4.13pmBENCH WATCH! Barcelona have already been forced into a change this afternoon - Deulofeu taking the place of the injured Dembele in the 26th minute. Valverde, however, still has the likes of Paulinho, Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez in reserve. As for Getafe, Guerrero, Molinero and Rodriguez are all in reserve for the home team. Plenty of qualities on both benches this afternoon.
46 minRESTART! Getafe resume the action here...
46 min... BARCELONA SUB! Denis Suarez replaces Iniesta for Barcelona.
48 minJust a reminder that Barcelona started the new league season with three straight wins, but the Catalan giants have a lot of work to do if they are to turn this one around. Getafe have been impressive.
51 minPlenty of possession for Barcelona as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Getafe continue to defend their lines. Luis Suarez is having another difficult afternoon for the Catalan side.
53 minBOOKING! Deulofeu (Barcelona) is booked for a high boot.
54 minGETAFE SUB! Guerrero replaces the injured Shibasaki.
56 minStill 1-0 Getafe with 56 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital. Plenty of possession for Barcelona, but the away side are really struggling to carve out clear opportunities here.
57 minSAVE! Guaita drops down to keep out Roberto's long-range strike.
59 minLittle over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and it is a very scrappy game at the moment as Barcelona continue to struggle in the final third of the field. Getafe are quite comfortable here.
62 minGOAL! Getafe 1-1 Barcelona (Denis Suarez)
63 minWhat a super goal! Barcelona level the scores in the 62nd minute as Denis Suarez picks out the top corner with a super effort from inside the Getafe box. Wonderful stuff from the Spaniard!
65 minStill more than 25 minutes of football remaining in Madrid, and I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals. It would be some win for Barcelona if they could grind it out here.
66 minBOOKING! Alba (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Fajr.
68 minSuper header from Pique as the Barcelona centre-back rises to clear a free kick from Fajr, which threatened to find Molina inside the box. Still 1-1 with 68 minutes on the clock in the capital.
71 minMessi feeds Luis Suarez inside the Getafe box, but there are no takers on the Uruguay international's pass, which had been threaded into a dangerous area. Getafe cannot keep the ball at the moment, however, which is a problem at this stage of the contest. Still a lot of football to be played.
72 minGETAFE SUB! Mora replaces Diedhiou for the home side.
73 minBOOKING! Luis Suarez (Barcelona) is booked for dissent.
76 minPass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they look to work an angle, but Getafe continue to clear their lines. Still more than 15 minutes of football to play in the Spanish capital here.
78 minBARCELONA SUB! Paulinho replaces Rakitic for the away side.
81 minNot too much to report in the last few minutes as Getafe continue to resist the pressure from Barcelona, but there is still a solid 10 minutes of football to play in the Spanish capital.
81 minTer Stegen keeps out a strike from Guerrero.
83 minPOST! Mora has a low strike deflected onto the post as Barcelona survive a big moment!
84 minGOAL! Getafe 1-2 Barcelona (Paulinho)
85 minOh my word! Barcelona take the lead in the 84th minute as Paulinho finds the far corner with a terrific finish. What a moment to find your first goal for the Catalan giants!
88 minBOOKING! Damian Suarez (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on Denis Suarez.
90 minMessi has one blocked from the edge of the box as Barcelona threaten a third late on.
90 min+1We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the 90.
90 min+3Barcelona continue to clear their lines as we enter the final stages of this match in Madrid.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Getafe 1-2 Barcelona
5.07pmSo there we have it. Barcelona turn it around in the capital to record a 2-1 win over Getafe. The Catalan giants stretch their 100% record at the start of the new La Liga campaign to four matches! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
