Barca show grit to take down a notoriously tough foe in Getafe

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These are the victories that win you trophies

Hansi Flick will relish this win.

Coaches know that getting three points is never easy. Some days it may look that way, but it’s in those tough moments when you have to suffer as a team that you learn what you’re made of.

Getafe is always a challenge. Even more so when they’re coached by José Bordalás, who doesn’t let you get away with anything for free.

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As expected, Barca’s opponents came out with intensity, putting their bodies on the line, getting close to goal in the early going, and making their customary statement that the game would be physical.

Barcelona, to their credit, didn’t panic. They stuck with the same game plan that they’ve been building all season long.

It’s difficult for opposing teams to sit back against this Barcelona team, because when they have the ball, they’ve been drilled to be direct.

It’s not about holding possession. Instead it’s about going forward, and relying on counter press to win the ball back in desirable parts of the field.

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The game winning goal they scored on Wednesday was another beauty.

Eric Garcia played a quick outlet pass to the wing, and then Lamine Yamal hit Jules Kounde on the overlap, who played in a dangerous cross to the heart of the box. The goal keeper muffed, it and Robert Lewandowski the poacher was there to put it in.

Against Getafe, Barcelona needed this early goal to take the pressure of of themselves. Without it, as the game progressed, the dark arts would have had a say.

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Yes, the game was closer than Barcelona would have liked, but they were always the better team. It would have been unjust to not come away with the win.

And that’s what’s so promising about this team. They keep learning, growing, maturing, and getting better.

As Flick said in the postgame, “These types of games help us more. Sometimes it’s more useful to analyze games where you suffered more.”

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Barcelona is becoming battle tested. So in the future, when they find themselves in a similar situation, they’ll have the confidence to know they can trust one another, and emerge from the ninety minutes with three points in hand.

Truthfully, it’s not the Clasicos you rely on to win La Liga, but rather the games against teams you are supposed to beat.

Real Madrid already slipped up in the first few games of the campaign. Barcelona hasn’t, and they have the early advantage.

There are still big questions to answer. Who will be the goal keeper going forward. How to get players healthy, and keep them that way.

It’s a long season. It’s been so enjoyable so far precisely because this team is over achieving.

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By building the right habits, and they seem to be doing, it can continue.

Bravo to this young band of brothers.

Special shout out to the new members of the cast who have stepped up the past few games.

Marc Casado, Pablo Torre, and Eric Garcia in particular.

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To the forward line as well of Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha, who are the best attacking trident that Barcelona has seen since the days of MSN.

To a backline who is protecting the fort, week in and out, and taking the pressure of Iñaki Peña in his first outing.

Vamos Barcelona.

Keep the wins coming. This isn’t magic. It’s football at its best.

Source: barcablaugranes.com