Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Getafe | La Liga MD 8

Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Getafe | La Liga MD 8 FC Barcelona finally return after the new and extended international break tomorrow, and they kickstart a difficult phase of the season ahead. Over the next month, Barcelona face Getafe, Galatasaray, Real Betis, PSG and Real Madrid among other opponents, and the games only get harder as the period progresses. Tomorrow’s clash, in that sense, is a fitting beginning as they lock horns against Getafe – a side who have made matters difficult for them in recent times with their compact, defensive style of football. The annual Barcelona-Getafe clash sees the two teams battle it out in two contrasting styles of football, making it a spectacle to behold. The Blaugrana are indeed the favorites, but Getafe are never a pushover. Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Getafe. A need to keep the momentum If Barcelona’s first phase of the season was a warm-up period, the phase to come is one of the most testing and demanding ones in the calendar year. Over the next month, the Catalans have massive challenges ahead in terms of stylistic match-ups and heavyweight clashes on paper, navigating through which will be easier said than done. As matters stand, they are Europe’s most in-form side and are yet to drop a point across all competitions. If they are to come out of the next month with even nearly equally impressive results, it is key they continue with the same momentum. With the international break arriving as a direct brake on to Barcelona’s momentum, the clash against Getafe tomorrow will serve as the starting point which decides whether they can pick up where they left off. After all, their attacking potential, game control and defensive stability were all impressive before the break, and all eyes tomorrow will be on Hansi Flick’s tactics and the players’ ability to restart after the break with the same sense of intent and dominance. Raphinha’s first game out Raphinha is unavailable for Barcelona. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) Of all of the developments which unfolded in the recent International break, Raphinha’s injury was perhaps the single most significant development from Barcelona’s perspective. Already having a poor track record of maintaining fitness on international duty, the club’s worst fears seemingly came true when he was taken off the field by Carlo Ancelotti with an injury in Brazil’s game against Australia. Immediately after the episode, the Barça captain returned to Catalonia and underwent the required tests, which confirmed a minor injury with a relatively short layoff time. In terms of pure fitness and preparedness, the Barcelona captain may well be ready to take to the field against Getafe tomorrow, but the manager has decided that the club will exert more caution with Raphinha. He is, thus, out of the games against Getafe and Galatasaray as the Blaugrana do not want a repeat of last season’s situation where the player was rushed back and then forced to sit out a month owing to an aggravation. With Raphinha out, however, Barcelona will need a reliable presence in the number nine role, and all signs point to Gabriel Jesus starting in the position on Saturday. After all, he is well rested after the international break and will be desperate to prove his worth. If not the Brazilian, Hamza Abdelkarim and Anthony Gordon are options to play as the striker, and the manager can also opt for a formation with a false-nine with Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez all potential options. Rotations in midfield Barcelona’s midfield this season has primarily revolved around four players in the big and decisive moments – Pedri, Rodri, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez. The club does indeed have significant depth in the department, but the aforementioned four names are the ones who have been the most trusted by the coach. Pedri and Rodri, in particular, have been seemingly immovable. All four players were called up by Luis de La Fuente in the recent international break and played a key role for the team over the four friendly matches. Their minutes were indeed managed well, but it is clear that they are anything but rested unlike some of the other names in the dressing room. In that sense, there is a real chance the coach opts to make some key rotations in midfield, especially given the schedule ahead. Pedri and Rodri, needless to say, are the ones who can use a break the most and the first question that Flick must answer is whether both players can be rested simultaneously or whether he must pick one of them. Gavi and Marc Bernal stand out as options to replace them, but given Getafe’s grit and defensive commitment, the team may always need one of Pedri or Rodri on the field to control the game. A third decision for the manager is who between Fermin and Olmo starts. Given Getafe’s low block, Fermin’s ability to come up clutch from distance may be key, but Olmo’s ability in between the lines is also a valuable asset. The midfield, in that sense, is one department where the manager has crucial decisions to make.