Robert Lewandowski continued his fine form and earned La Liga leaders Barcelona a 1-0 win over Getafe on Wednesday.
The Polish forward struck from close range in the first half to maintain Barca’s 100 percent record in the league so far this season with their seventh victory.
Barcelona dominated despite not being able to add to their lead and restored a four-point advantage on Real Madrid, who beat Alaves on Tuesday.
Coach Hansi Flick started Inaki Pena in goal for the stricken Marc-Andre ter Stegen, out for months with a severe knee injury, and brought Marc Casado and Alejandro Balde back into the side.
The reserve goalkeeper, who conceded 32 times in 17 matches across all competitions last season, heard his name chanted supportively by fans behind his goal and saved an early header from Carles Perez.
By contrast his opposite number David Soria’s weak touch on Jules Kounde’s cross led to Barcelona’s opener on 19 minutes, the ball falling perfectly for Lewandowski to finish from close range.
The 36-year-old striker has seven goals in La Liga this season and leads the scoring charts, seemingly rejuvenated under Flick after struggling at times last season.
Teen starlet Lamine Yamal might have doubled the lead moments later when Raphinha played him in, but he nudged inches past the post.
Soria made a good save from Raphinha, who collected the August player of the month award before kick-off, and soon sent another effort skidding wide.
Yamal almost bent home a delicious curling strike from distance before the hour, but Soria tipped it over the crossbar.
The Getafe goalkeeper also palmed a dangerous Raphinha free-kick around the post as Barcelona pushed for a second to put the match to bed.
Spain’s Euro 2024 hero Yamal clipped the top of the crossbar with a vicious effort from distance, as Barca started to grumble about Getafe’s persistently heavy challenges.
Raphinha missed a golden chance in the final stages, heading wide after a clever dart into the box but Barcelona were not punished for their profligacy.
Getafe, 19th, are still winless and wasted a fine chance of their own at the death when Borja Mayoral failed to get a shot away when well placed and free inside the box.
The leaders next travel to face Osasuna on Saturday, before second-place Real Madrid face rivals Atletico Madrid in a derby clash on Sunday.
Source: Arab News
BDST: 1013 HRS, SEPT 26, 2024
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