Getafe 0–0 FC Barcelona: Job done

A goalless draw at Getafe on Sunday night got Barça the point they needed to be absolutely sure of a place in next season’s Spanish Super Cup, although as it happens the 1-1 draw between Atlético Madrid and Sevilla means they wouldn’t have needed it anyway.

0-0 was a result that also suited the home side, who are thus guaranteed top flight football next season.

Caution first

The lack of urgency for either team to take the full three points out of this game was very much reflected in what was a far from eventful game of football. Getafe played a five-man defence with the midfield spending most of the game parked around the area, and as long as Barça didn’t score, were quite happy to keep things that way.

Curiously, however, while Barça were struggling to break through the brick wall in front of them, the best of few real chances of the first half fell to the home side. Former Barça man Carles Aleñà and Turkish international Enes Ünal both gave Ter Stegen a thing or two to think about. But it was hardly an onslaught, and Barça never looked under any major threat.

Mármol debut

There was also a half-chance or two for the Catalans at the other end. But overall there was somewhat lethargic feel to the play on a very warm evening in south Madrid. Indeed, by the second half the chances dried up entirely other than the occasional flash from substitute Ansu Fati.

True to his word, Xavi continues to exercise caution with the 19-year-old, while the main talking point in his selection was Alejandro Balde giving Jordi Alba a well-deserved rest at left-back,. There were also starts for Riqui Puig and Oscar Mingueza, while right at the end centre back Mika Mármol came on to make his first team debut.

On very warm night in southern Madrid, the game grinded to a halt with the Coliseum Alfonso Perez exploding with joy. Barça will be coming back here next season. And they will also be going to Saudi Arabia. Second place is safe.