Getafe vs Barcelona - 3 Takeaways from the 0-0 draw

Getafe vs Barcelona – 3 Takeaways from the 0-0 draw

GETAFE, SPAIN - AUGUST 13: Abde Ezzalzouli of FC Barcelona in action during the Spanish League, La Liga EA Sports, football match played between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona at Coliseum Alfonso Perez Stadium in Getafe, Madrid, Spain on August 13, 2023. (Photo by Oscar J. Barroso/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

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Frenkie de Jong at centre-back makes sense against lesser sides

Barcelona weren’t at their best in the first half and Xavi admitted as much after the game.

When you face a team like Getafe, who with the greatest respect, are limited going forward. You can get away with playing someone like de Jong at centre-back because the majority of his work will be moving the ball through the lines.

Xavi elected to go with Andreas Christensen and Kounde at centre-back in the first half and that was largely a wasted opportunity with very little defensive work to do.

When playing teams who sit deep, playing de Jong as a centre-back and then moving Pedri inside or starting Gavi alongside Romeu will give Barcelona more ability on the ball.

They’ll then have players who can spot the cutting pass at all three levels of the team, four if you count the distribution ability of MATS.

This takeaway feeds into the first one, there was a real lack of cutting-edge throughout.

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