Lewandowski pounces to push Barca past Getafe

BARCELONA — Robert Lewandowski continued his fine form and earned La Liga leader 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 its seventh victory.

Barcelona dominated, despite not being able to add to its lead, and restored its four-point advantage over Real Madrid, which beat Alaves on Tuesday.

"You can't always win by a lot of goals," defender Jules Kounde told Movistar. "I think the important thing is we made a lot of chances again and took the three points. Getafe is always a tough team to handle."

Coach Hansi Flick started Inaki Pena in goal for the stricken Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who's set for months on the sidelines 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 the supportive chants of his name by fans behind his goal and saved an early header from Carles Perez.

In contrast, his opposite number David Soria's weak touch on 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.

"For me, he's the best number nine of the last 10 years," Flick, who also coached him at Bayern Munich, told reporters.

"His job is in front of the goal, in the box, and he's doing that great."

Teen starlet Lamine Yamal could have doubled the lead moments later, when Raphinha played him in, but he nudged the ball 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 freekick 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's players 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.

Fortunately for Barcelona, it was not punished for its profligacy.

Late scare

Getafe, 19th, is still winless and wasted a fine chance of its own at the death, when Borja Mayoral, well placed and free inside the box, failed to get a shot away.

"We didn't put away our chances. We have to be more decisive in the area," said Getafe midfielder Luis Milla.

The Madrid club has found the net on just three occasions so far this season. "It's clear we have to improve, I'm sure the team will end up scoring," added Milla.

That's not the case with Barca. Even with various star names out injured, Flick's side has continued to improve.

"He's a coach who is very sure how he wants to play (and) we're understanding it well," added Kounde.

"The team is enjoying training and we're comfortable in the games. He's a very demanding coach and that suits us well."

Barca next travels to face Osasuna on Saturday, before second-placed Real Madrid faces rival Atletico Madrid in a derby clash on Sunday.

AFP