Ideal man-management, Rodri’s brilliance | Three takeaways from Barcelona 3-0 Getafe

Three more goals and a clean sheet were added to Barcelona’s impressive league record last night as they sailed past Getafe without any difficulty.

The same side that has given Barcelona serious trouble in the past simply had no answer to the Catalans’ dominance, pressure and attacking firepower as it took the hosts just two minutes to open the scoring.

From that point, Barcelona never lost control of the game and were reassured at the back with players stepping up across the field. The win keeps the team’s perfect record alive, and once again sends a strong message that Flick’s men are not to be messed with.

Barca Universal brings you three takeaways from Barcelona 3-0 Getafe.

No Raphinha, no problem

Given how Raphinha has heavily contributed to Barcelona’s attack so far this season, there was a minor sense of worry that his absence would take the sting out of the Catalans’ front line.

Last night’s game, however, made it clear from the get-go that the team does not depend on any single individual, as Barcelona made light work of Getafe without their captain.

Hansi Flick deployed a front line of Anthony Gordon, Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal, and the trio combined well to create the team’s three goals with ease.

The Englishman was imperious on the wing, menacing Getafe with his pace and creating trouble after trouble with his pace. He also netted his first-ever Barcelona goal in what came as a memorable moment.

Gabriel Jesus, despite all his injury concerns, pressed like a player worthy of being in Flick’s system and constantly looked to get into the right goalscoring positions. He eventually got his goal too with a well-worked dribble and finish.

Lamine Yamal looked slightly off-color, but even an out-of-form Yamal is a threat, and he continued to create chances for the team effortlessly.

To beat Getafe so easily, without breaking a sweat, requires serious footballing brilliance,e and Barcelona showed that they have not lost any steam from before the international break, on that front.

Rodri runs the show

Running the show. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Given the heavy minutes of certain players in the international break, Hansi Flick made some big rotations to the starting lineup last night, and a major one was Pedri starting on the bench.

The coach handed Gavi and Dani Olmo starts alongside Rodri, and while the former two players did brilliantly to redeem themselves and convince Flick, it was Rodri who stole the show.

Starting as the lone pivot, the Spanish national team captain simply controlled the entire midfield with unreal ease. His ability to control complicated situations with the calmness he possesses is a real trademark, and there never seemed a moment of panic in the game.

Barring a short 10-minute spell after the restart, Barcelona were in cruise control throughout the game, and it was Rodri who provided that stability, control and creativity to the game.

He linked up brilliantly with the defense and connected them to the attack, cut off counters right at the root, and played his way out of pressure despite Getafe’s best attempts to press high.

Rodri, so far, has simply not put a foot wrong for Barcelona, and it is clear that he is enjoying himself and making the best of his abilities under Flick.

Ideal man-management

The biggest takeaway and positive for Barcelona from last night’s game was how Hansi Flick managed the minutes of most of his personnel, for he managed to bring home the win with minimal exploitation of his staff.

For starters, the initial XI itself saw bold rotations, with Pau Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo, Fermin Lopez and Pedri rested. Raphinha’s injury meant the Brazilian star also got the day off.

For most of the game, Barcelona did not struggle or chase the ball and comfortably retained possession and dominance with the likes of Gavi and Olmo in the middle of the park.

Pedri came on for a late cameo, and Cubarsi did not enter the field in the entire game. Meanwhile, even Rodri’s minutes were managed well as he was taken off for Marc Bernal at an optimal point in the game.

The only downside was Lamine Yamal playing all ninety minutes on a night when he looked slightly fatigued, but Flick confirmed that the player himself asked to stay on and contribute throughout the game.

In that sense, it is massive for Barcelona that they got past Getafe with minimal exploitation of resources, especially given the hectic schedule ahead.