MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 22:58:41| >> :60:290:290:
[monks data]
Attendance: 14,721
Getafe logo
La Liga | Gameweek 18
Jan 6, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-2

Mata (43')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Messi (20'), Suarez (39')

Valverde not focused on five-point gap

Valverde not focused on five-point gap
© Reuters
Getafe boss Jose Bordalas bemoaned a "bittersweet" result after Barca's 2-1 win.

Ernesto Valverde is not taking any comfort from Barcelona's healthy lead in the LaLiga title race after watching his side squeeze past Getafe 2-1.

Lionel Messi notched his 16th league goal of the season and Luis Suarez his 12th as Barca went 2-0 up in the first half, while Jaime Mata pulled one back for Getafe before the break.

The Catalans are now five points clear of Atletico Madrid, with Sevilla and Alaves another two and four points behind respectively.

Real Madrid are down in fifth and 10 points off the pace after losing 2-0 at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

However, Valverde told Marca: "We knew about the other results before kick-off and were under pressure to take advantage of the opportunity.

"But I do not think too much about the other teams. We have a lot to do.

"I don't know if there were similar gaps between clubs at this point last year but I do know that we did not manage to win the league until almost the end of the season."

Referring to the second half, which saw seventh-placed Getafe fight back admirably to slash the deficit, Valverde said: "It was essential for us to stay focused and not let the game get away from us.

"They are a tough team, with strong players when you go one-on-one, and the game was tight.

"There were times after the break when they were the better side. Towards the end we managed to keep hold of the ball and that's how we stayed out of trouble.

Tottenham Hotspur v Barcelona – UEFA Champions League – Group B – Wembley Stadium
Lionel Messi was among the goals once again (Nick Potts/PA)

"We expected a difficult game and they got back into the game with the goal, but we're happy."

Getafe boss Jose Bordalas said at his post-match press conference: "It's a bittersweet feeling as we stood up to Barca. The players made a tremendous effort against them and I think we countered their attacking potential."

Goalscorer Mata bemoaned having an early strike ruled out and questioned the role of the video assistant referee in the decision-making process.

He said: "The referee indicated he had seen a foul and so he whistled. If VAR is there to help, I don't understand why the situation wasn't then reviewed.

"Matches are decided by these moments. They had their two good moments and were given both of them, but at least we can say we didn't surrender and fought right to the end."

Bordalas added: "Mata's goal was totally valid and that's why we feel hard done by. I have always defended VAR but I think it has not worked well here."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '98277590-a2bb-437e-80f1-dd507861dcda');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Valverde not focused on five-point gap'});

ID:346164: cacheID:346164:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:14824:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde pictured on November 24, 2018
Read Next:
Valverde says Barcelona talks on his future will wait until summer
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Ravens
30-23
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!