Barcelona dropped La Liga points at home for just the second time this season as they were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Getafe this afternoon.
Luis Suarez had a goal disallowed for offside on the stroke of half time but otherwise the hosts failed to register a single shot on target in the first period.
Getafe arguably had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes as eight-goal top scorer Jose Angel shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
Goalkeeper Vicente Guaita made a string of decent saves in the final 20 minutes to earn Getafe their first point at the Camp Nou since back in 2008.
Relive how the action unfolded in Catalonia with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the La Liga clash between leaders Barcelona and mid-table Getafe at the Camp Nou. The hosts can regain their nine-point cushion at the top of the table with a victory today. Let's get to the team news from Catalonia...
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Digne, Mina, Busquets, Alba; Roberto, Rakitic, Coutinho; Suarez, Messi, Alcacer
Subs: Cillessen, Semedo, Pique, Iniesta, Dembele, Paulinho, Vidal
Subs: Cillessen, Semedo, Pique, Iniesta, Dembele, Paulinho, Vidal
GETAFE: Guaita, Suarez, Bruno, Dakonam, Vitorino Antunes, Fajr, Arambarri, Portillo, Shibasaki, Diedhiou, Angel
Subs: Martinez, Cabrera, Flamini, Remy, Mora, Cala, Molina
Subs: Martinez, Cabrera, Flamini, Remy, Mora, Cala, Molina
After scoring his first goal since his £142m arrival from Liverpool in the Copa del Rey against Valencia in midweek, Coutinho starts in a very attacking Barcelona lineup that includes Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paco Alcacer, making just his sixth La Liga start of the season, in front of him.
There is a league debut for Barcelona's other January signing - Yerry Mina - the Colombian centre-back signed from Palmeiras. With Samuel Umtiti suspended and Gerard Pique rested to the bench, it appears as though Lucas Digne will fill in alongside him in central defence.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is back in goal after Jasper Cillessen deputised in Thursday's cup match. Andre Gomes, a reported Premier League target in the last transfer window, and Andres Iniesta are the other players to drop out. Gomes is not in the squad at all after picking up a knock.
Ousmane Dembele is back on the Barcelona bench after recovering from his latest injury. The big-money signing from Borussia Dortmund has been restricted to four La Liga outings so far because of injury and will be hoping to stay fit and make an impact in the second half of the season.
Pique, Iniesta, Dembele and Paulinho, who has been one of Barcelona's best players this season with eight La Liga goals from just 13 starts are all available to Ernesto Valverde on a frigtening bench.
If you haven't seen it yet, here is Coutinho's maiden Barcelona goal. We have seen him score more spectacular ones in his Liverpool days, but perhaps none more special to the player himself.
COUTINHO'S FIRST GOAL🔥⚽️ pic.twitter.com/xt2DCFK3tJ — messi deprê (@messidepressivo) February 8, 2018
The fact that Coutinho's goal was assisted by Suarez will only rub salt into the wounds of the Liverpool fans who may be wondering what could have been had they kept the pair. The Reds are in action later today at Southampton, which you will be able to follow with Sports Mole.
Getafe make just the one change from the starting XI that drew 0-0 with Leganes last weekend. Japansese international midfielder Gaku Shibasaki replaces Jorge Molina to give the visitors an extra body in the centre of the park.
There is a couple of very familiar names on the Getafe bench - former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini and ex-Chelsea striker Loic Remy, who have both recently joined the mid-table outfit. Defender Cala also spent a short time at Cardiff City during their single ill-fated Premier League campaign.
Vicente Guatia starts in goal after Getafe managed to hold onto him amidst strong interest from Crystal Palace in January. The Spaniard's contract expires at the end of this season so will move to Selhurst Park then.
Getafe are on a four-match unbeaten run, although three successive draws have prevented them from closing the gap on the European spots. A win today would take them to within four points of Sevilla in sixth.
The table looks much prettier from where Barcelona are sitting. The Catalan giants have been looking down on the rest of La Liga for much of the season and will regain their nine-point cushion on Atletico Madrid, who beat Valencia 1-0 yesterday, with a victory this afternoon.
Barca remain undefeated in the league under Ernesto Valverde. Their only defeats this season have been two to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup in August, and to Espanyol in the Copa del Rey last month, and they recovered to beat their local rivals over two legs.
Espanyol were also the opponents for Barcelona in the league last weekend, and it took an 82nd-minute Pique equaliser to preserve the unbeaten run in one of the biggest scares of the season.
Pique's omission from the starting lineup today is an interesting one. Barcelona are not in Champions League action this week - their first leg with Chelsea is not until February 20 - but Valverde seemingly feels that the decorated defender could do with a rest.
The first-time partnership of Digne and Mina is an area that Getafe will look to exploit whenever they can get into the final third. Scoring on the road has been a problem for them though, with only one goal in the last five away matches in all competitions.
In fact, Getafe are the third lowest away scorers in the entire division. They have only scored eight times in 11 away matches, which explains why they have not won on their travels since September at Leganes.
The last place that Gefate will want to play with an away record like that is the Camp Nou, where Barcelona have won 21 of their last 22 league matches including all 11 games this season. Only Real Madrid in November 2016 have managed to hold Barca to a draw.
STAT: Barca have scored at least two goals in all of their home matches this season. With Messi having reached 20 league goals for the campaign and Suarez now getting going after a slowish start, it would be no surprise to see Barca continue their goal glut today.
Getafe have been easy pickings for Barca at the Camp Nou in recent years. The hosts have been leading at half time and full time in seven of the last eight meetings in Catalonia, and not since 2008 have Getafe come with as much as a point.
A few good ones to pick from in here. I like the curler from the legend that is Xavi, myself.
😍🤩😱
Which is your favourite?
🔵🔴 #BarçaGetafe pic.twitter.com/K3T9mhT569 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 11, 2018
There is no more Xavi in this Barcelona lineup, and with Iniesta on the bench a generation is coming to an end. However, Sergio Busquets is still around and today is his 300th La Liga appearance.
Something that could work against Barcelona today is that it is less than 72 hours since their Copa del Rey match with Valencia. Valverde has only made three changes so they aren't likely to be super fresh, while Getafe have had the luxury of a week's rest.
Less than 10 minutes until kickoff at the Camp Nou. It was snowing last week when I was in Madrid but is a T-shirt tempting 16 degrees in Barcelona today. Clearly I picked the wrong weekend for a holiday!
UPDATE: There is also live Premier League action for you to follow on Sports Mole this afternoon. At St James' Park, Newcastle United are holding Manchester United 0-0 at half time. I'd encourage you to stick with me, but you can follow that game here.
STAT: Getafe have conceded a remarkable 24 goals on their last six visits to the Camp Nou, leaking six three times. They did make Barca work for a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture in September, though.
PREDICTION: I don't see Barca having any problems today. I think they will canter to a 3-0 win.
KICKOFF: The action is underway and Getafe show an immediate willingness to press Barcelona high up the pitch, but an outrageously confident Cruyff turn from Ter Stegen in his own box gets the hosts out of trouble.
Amath makes an excellent run down Getafe's left channel and is picked out by Fajr, only for the offside flag to be raised. The Senegal forward was perhaps level with Roberto but is denied a one-on-one opportunity by the linesman.
Roberto delivers a teasing cross but Guaita is off his line to claim with authority.
The new boy Mina looks very comfortable on the ball, which should be a given for a Barcelona signing. Already the Colombian has strode out from the back with his gangly frame.
Alcacer lifts a ball over the top for Suarez but the Uruguayan uses his arm to bring the ball down, and is then flagged offside. So in conclusion, there wasn't alot going for that move.
Gaku has been in the wars early on here. He had only just got back to his feet after a brief stoppage in play and is now clattered by 6ft 5in Mina, which you're going to feel pretty hard.
A first mistake from Mina as he gives the ball away on the halfway line. Busquets gives Getafe a chance by stepping up for offside but then recovers to intercept a square pass destined for Amath.
Getafe try to work a set piece down the left rather than whip the ball into the box, but Luis Suarez is back in his own area to do some defending, thwarting Vitorino Antunes.
Messi wants a penalty after being bundled to ground on the edge of the box. It is certainly clumsy defending from Bruno who blocks off the Argentine as he danced into the area.
Good defending from Getafe this time as they snuff out a promising Barcelona attack. Messi is starting to have an affect on proceedings but so far Guaita has gone untested.
At the other end, Barcelona's poorly-employed offside trap should give Getafe some encouragement. A few times Barca defenders has stepped up but they haven't always been on the same page, which is little surprise considering it is the first time Digne and Mina have played together.
Barca have had a couple of decent moments in the last few minutes. Messi's 30-yard free kick struck the top of the wall, and another set piece fell to Mina in the box, with his shot blocked by Damian Suarez.
Bruno escapes without a yellow card after crunching into Suarez from behind on the halfway line.
CHANCE! Suarez misses Barcelona's best chance so far when he knocks his side-footed volley wide, after persistent work from Roberto down the right, and the offside flag is raised anyway.
Nearly half an hour gone at the Camp Nou and we have seen very little of Coutinho as of yet. A few nice touches here and there under minimal pressure, but certainly not £142m worth.
Getafe will be pretty pleased with their work so far. They have guarded Guaita's goal very well and also tried to play the ball out when they have had the chance, rather than simply hoof it upfield and gift Barcelona possession back. The visitors are making the league leaders work here.
Superb defending from Damian Suarez, who stretches out a foot to make a last-ditch tackle on Messi after the Argentine had majestically controlled an intelligent dink from Rakitic.
Lovely move from Barcelona as Coutinho spins away from Fajr and passes the ball onto Messi, whose through-ball to Suarez is perfectly weighted but the striker had strayed offside.
Busqeuts is dropping back to become Barca's deepest-lying player and allowing Mina to bring the ball out. I wonder if a transition to defence could happen before Busquets retires?
CLOSE! Arguably the best chance so far falls to Getafe's top score Angel, who is one-on-one with Mina and creates room to get a shot away which rolls just wide.
The Barcelona bench are unhappy with Bruno's challenge on Luis Suarez. The former Real Betis defender certainly barged into the Uruguayan and caught him flush in the face.
YELLOW! Mauro Arambarri becomes the first player to see yellow today for a foul on Rakitic. Getafe have been getting physical in recent minutes and that was a totting-up booking.
DISALLOWED! Suarez finishes superbly from Messi's free-kick delivery, stretching out a foot and controlling a volley brilliantly into the back of the net. The assistant referees have been busy in this first half though and the flag is raised - correctly - to frustrate the Uruguayan.
HALF TIME: BARCELONA 0-0 GETAFE
Getafe are putting up much more of a fight than they have on recent trips to the Camp Nou and are holding Barcelona at half time. The hosts have not created much at all apart from that disallowed Suarez goal on the stroke of the break.
Mina has been impressive in his first 45 La Liga minutes. The South American has a bit of Gerard Pique about the way he brings the ball out and hasn't looked fazed by his surroundings.
The one time that Mina was exposed in a one-on-one situation, Getafe striker Angel got the better of him but the strike was just wide of Ter Stegen's goal. That was arguably the best chance that either side has had.
RESULT: Could it be a day of giant-killings? Newcastle have beaten Manchester United 1-0 at St James' Park thanks to Matt Ritchie's first goal of the season. A Getafe win to follow would be an even bigger shock.
Something very interesting to note at half time was that the Barcelona groundsman was only watering the half of the pitch that the hosts will be attacking in the second half. Barca had 70% possession in the first half and will hope that the surface is slick enough for them to pass it around a little quicker.
KICKOFF! The action is back underway with both sides unchanged for the second half...
Ousmane Dembele is going through an extensive warm up on the touchline, and Valverde may be looking to introduce him at the expense of Alcacer who has been completely ineffective.
SHOT! Coutinho steps inside and tries to bend a shot into the top corner but Guaita is well positioned and makes a comfortable save. We saw that a few times at Liverpool.
Crystal Palace are getting a good goalkeeper on the basis of this performance. Barcelona have three of four bodies in the box but Guaita cuts the cross out from Roberto at the near post.
Angel lines up a long-range free kick which takes a deflection on its way behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.
CLOSE! Alcacer deflects a cross into the path of Suarez but again the Uruguayan was on the stretch and did not have full control over an effort which finished a few yards wide.
SHOT! Coutinho tries another curling shot, but this time towards the bottom corner and Guaita has to scramble across his goal to tip the ball around the post.
A half chance at either end, with Djene stealing the ball off the toe of Alcacer 10 yards out and then Gaku shooting over the bar trying to chip Ter Stegen, who was in no man's land, from 35 yards.
Ter Stegen is caught out of position again and Mina has to retreat to usher Angel out for a corner as the striker rounded the Barcelona goalkeeper and threatened to roll the ball into an empty net.
Wonderful effort from Antunes, who meets a corner with a sweet left-footed volley from 20 yards which was not far away. That was brilliant technique from the defender and Ter Stegen would have been struggling if it were on target.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Valverde is concerned enough to turn to Dembele and Iniesta as Coutinho and Alcacer make way.
YELLOW! Antunes is cautioned for time-wasting over a throw-in. Bit early for those tricks.
SHOT! Messi is fouled by a combination of Damian Suarez and Bruno 25 yards out in the centre of the goal, but he can't make the most of a great free-kick position as he shoots over the bar.
Iniesta is already looking lively and a moment of magic by the left byline sets him up for an outside-of-the-foot cross towards Dembele, which Antunes hacks away with an ugly clearance.
Jordi Alba makes an important block on the edge of his own box to the frustration of Angel, who also had Fajr available to him on the overlap. A decent opening for Getafe goes begging.
CHANCE! The substitutes have made a difference for Barcelona, one of which Dembele wins a free kick which Messi delivers into the bx. Mina wins the header but directs it straight at Guaita.
CLOSE! Mina gets above everybody from a corner and powers a header into the ground and wide. For the first time this afternoon, Guaita was beaten but the ball goes the other side of his post.
SUBSTITUTION: Getafe have gone into full defensive mode now with Flamini replacing striker Angel. It is the first football that the French defensive midfielder has played since the end of last season with Crystal Palace.
SAVE! Guaita pushes away a 20-yard strike from Messi into the path of Alba, who drags the follow-up across the six-yard box with Suarez not gambling to get on the end of it.
SUBSTITUTION: Paulinho, who scored as a substitute when these two sides met in Paulinho, comes on in place of Sergio Busquets in the last throw of the dice by Valverde.
Suarez is slipped through by Alba but Guaita is quick off his line to collect the ball.
Alba hangs a cross in the air but Guaita springs off the ground and punches clear. The Spaniard has not put a foot wrong all game and Palace should be thrilled about their signing for next season.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Getafe have made their final two changes to wind the clock down. Gaku and Amath are off for Jorge Molina and Portillo for the final few minutes.
There will be THREE minutes of stoppage time. Can Getafe hang on for an impressive point or will Barca steal a late winner?
SAVE! Dembele gets past his man and lifts a cross up from which Guaita tips Suarez's header over the crossbar.
YELLOW! Guaita is booked for time-wasting but the goalkeeper has otherwise had a fine day.
SAVE! A clumsy foul from Mina gives Getafe a chance to try to pinch all three points from a free kick. Antunes rifles a shot at goal from 30 yards and it needs a fingertip from Ter Stegen to help it on its way over the crossbar.
FULL TIME: BARCELONA 0-0 GETAFE
Barcelona fail to score for the first time in La Liga this season as Getafe end their miserable recent run at the Camp Nou to claim an improbable draw. The visitors were excellent at the back - led by soon-to-be Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita - and fully deserved their point.
It is a slip up by the league leaders but they still have a seven-point cushion on Atletico Madrid.
That is it from me on a rare goalless day in Catalonia. Our live football coverage for the day is not done yet though so switch over to my colleague Barney Corkhill for the latest from St Mary's Stadium as Liverpool face feeder club Southampton. Thanks for joining me for this La Liga action. Goodbye!
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
