Barcelona’s first game of the 2023/24 La Liga campaign ended in a bad tempered 0-0 draw away at Getafe.
La Blaugrana headed to the Spanish capital looking to start their title defence with a positive result on the road at the Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
However, they ran into a trademark performance from Jose Bordalas‘ side, with both teams ending the game with 10 players each.
Brazilian international Raphinha was sent off just before the break for a dangerous elbow on Gaston Alavrez as Getafe looked to frustrate Barcelona once again.
Straight red! 🟥
Raphinha is sent off for an off-the-ball act and Barça are reduced to ten 👀 pic.twitter.com/hFovMBf8bQ
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) August 13, 2023
Reason behind Raphinha red card pic.twitter.com/I9kQUYW08C
— @Abass Salam (@ABASSSALAM17) August 13, 2023
Getafe had secured 0-0 home draws against Barcelona in the last two league campaigns and they dug in late on after Jaime Mata was dismissed for a second booking.
It's 10 vs 10 now! 😱
Getafe's Jaime Mata sees red after getting his second yellow card 🟥 pic.twitter.com/KOKe3jJN1b
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) August 13, 2023
🚨🚨| Red card for Jaime Mata!
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 13, 2023
However, the red cards were not just limited to players on the pitch, as Xavi was sent off by referee Cesar Soto Grado after reacting angrily to a string of decision against his team, as Ansu Fati blazed over in the dying minutes.
Xavi is gone now! 🟥
The Barça manager is sent off for how he reacted to Abde being challenged at the edge of the box 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/HVJMAiCgo5
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) August 13, 2023
10 – Teams to have received the most red cards with the same manager in LaLiga since Xavi's arrival:
19 – Real Betis/Manuel Pellegrini.
13 – Atletico de Madrid/Diego Simeone
13 – Getafe/Quique Sánchez Flores
10 – BARCELONA/XAVI HERNÁNDEZSetback. pic.twitter.com/E249fehjzW
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 13, 2023
¡El disparo de @ANSUFATI se marchó por arriba! #LALIGAEASPORTS | #GetafeBarça #LALIGAHighlights pic.twitter.com/zTmo8pyDdy
— LALIGA (@LaLiga) August 13, 2023
Images via Getty Images
Was like watching paint dry 😴🤭 Lewandowski 😱 and xavis obsession of playing every midfielder available instead of wingers and forwards 🤯