Barcelona 2-1 Getafe: 5 talking points as Memphis Depay strikes to get Blaugrana back to winning ways | La Liga 2021-22

Memphis Depay the hero again as Barcelona labor to a narrow win over Getafe
Memphis Depay the hero again as Barcelona labor to a narrow win over Getafe

Barcelona returned to winning ways after beating Getafe 2-1 at the Camp Nou on matchday three of La Liga's 2021/22 season.

Memphis Depay scored the winner just half an hour into the game following Sandro Ramirez canceling out Sergi Roberto's early opener.

The full-back broke the deadlock less than 120 seconds into the match after ghosting in front of Jakub Jankto to latch onto a cross from Jordi Alba.

Just 16 minutes later, Ramirez, a former Barcelona player, restored parity following a series of eye-catching tiki-taka-esque passes with Carles Alena, another ex-Blaugrana man.

However, the home side then went in front again just seconds after the clock hit 30 minutes through Depay, who slotted home from close-range.

Ronald Koeman's team went into the break with a slender lead but it was a tough win with Getafe flying out of the blocks in the second-half.

Barcelona somehow held firm and weathered the storm, although they themselves wasted quite a few chances to extend their lead.

Nevertheless, three points were secured and the La Liga giants continued their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Here are the five talking points from Camp Nou:


#1 Memphis Depay continues his fine start to life in Barcelona

Depay scored his second goal for Barcelona
Depay scored his second goal for Barcelona

Memphis Depay marked his La Liga debut a few weeks ago with an assist on matchday one before opening his goalscoring account last weekend against Athletic Bilbao with a sumptuous finish.

Today, the Dutchman doubled his tally for the Catalans with another goal, and it was pretty identical to his first too - storming down the left channel, showing excellent ball control before firing into the back of the net.

Fast, incredibly skilled on the ball and possessing uncanny dribbling ability, Depay was a huge menace for Getafe all throughout and could've had a second after the break although the angle was tough to shoot from.

Nevertheless, he became the first player since Cesc Fabregas in 2011 to score or assist in each of his first three games for Barcelona, a testament to the impact the striker has already had at the club.


#2 Getafe responded quickly to get early equaliser and then quicky fell behind again!

Former Barcelona player Sandro Ramirez scored the only goal for Getafe
Former Barcelona player Sandro Ramirez scored the only goal for Getafe

Getafe were supposedly in for a long evening after falling behind less than 120 seconds into the match. But they responded rather quickly, which isn't normal for a relatively weaker side visiting the Camp Nou.

With the Catalans struggling to clear their lines, Emerson Royal's tackle inadvertently sent the ball to the feet of Sandro, who played a neat one-two with Alena before sweeping a low drive into the bottom corner.

Just 16 minutes after finding themselves behind, the Madrid outfit were level. They didn't cave in easily and fought their way back into the match, showing incredible fighting spirit.

However, the home side then turned the tables around with a swift response of their own, as De Jong's superb pass was met by Depay, who then produced neat footwork before firing into the net.

By the half-hour mark, Barcelona were in front again.

Getafe didn't absorb any pressure at all when Barcelona pressed high and ultimately paid the price.

#3 What's up with Barcelona's defense? No clean sheets yet

For the second time in three years, Barcelona have failed to keep a clean sheet in their opening three games
For the second time in three years, Barcelona have failed to keep a clean sheet in their opening three games

How many times in recent history have Barcelona gone the first three league games of a season without registering a single clean sheet?

While some of you may feel it's merely jumping the gun here as it's still early days into the 2021/22 campaign, it does make you curious, though.

Having conceded twice in the opening weekend to Real Sociedad, the Catalans let in a goal against Athletic Bilbao and today saw their net ripple once again.

That's four goals allowed in just the first three games, four times more than last season, when Barcelona finished third, thus giving Ronald Koeman something to think about.


#4 Getafe lacked precision on the counter in the second-half

Getafe were threatening on the break but lacked the cutting edge to make their chances count
Getafe were threatening on the break but lacked the cutting edge to make their chances count

Buoyed by their own gritty performance in the opening stanza, Getafe started the second-half with great poise and urgency. However, they could've used a little more precision with the final ball or the final touch.

Jakub Jankto, Carles Alena and Nemanja Maksimovic all came agonizingly close to scoring from the break just 15 minutes after the restart, but saw their efforts either saved or blocked.

Maksimovic, in particular, would be disappointed as he fired straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen from just 18 yards out. A huge opportunity missed for them and a huge let-off for Barcelona.

Despite keeping only 35% of the ball in the second-half, the Azulones mustered five shots, although four of them were off target - a reflection of how wayward their attempts were.

Getafe could've easily secured at least a point with a tad more clinicality.


#5 Barcelona still not fully convincing

The Catalans are not there yet
The Catalans are not there yet

Barcelona's post-Lionel Messi era has been going smoothly thus far, but that doesn't mean the side have been overly impressive, or even in their usual selves.

There's a sense that they're still in a period of transition. And why not, coping with life without your greatest ever player isn't easy. It's going to take time.

Yet Ronald Koeman will be (and should be) asking for more from his players, who certainly have the quality and capability to produce better results.

As already discussed, their defense has looked shaky since the start of the campaign, while Depay is the only attacker who's consistently performed so far.

Seven points from a possible nine isn't bad, although Barcelona's performances haven't been fully convincing. They may want to find their best after this international break.

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Edited by S Chowdhury
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