Barca frustrated in goalless draw with Getafe

A DISALLOWED Luis Suarez goal summed up a frustrating afternoon for Barcelona as the leaders of La Liga dropped points for the second week running after a 0-0 stalemate with Getafe on Sunday.

After needing a late equaliser to grab a point in the Catalan derby at Espanyol last weekend, Barca could not break down a well-organised Getafe side, who showed why they have the third-best defensive record in the league.

In irresistible form in front of goal in 2018, Suarez had the ball in the net just before half-time with a great finish from a Lionel Messi free-kick, but the home celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

The Uruguayan striker then saw his header kept out by a brilliant Vicente Guaita save as the match moved into stoppage time, with Barca failing to score at home in La Liga for the first time since November 2016.

Ernesto Valverde’s side remain unbeaten in La Liga after 23 games, extending their longest run without losing from the start of a campaign.

However, they are now only seven points clear at the summit from Atletico Madrid, who won 1-0 at Malaga on Saturday with an early Antoine Griezmann goal. The Rojiblancos visit the Camp Nou in three weeks.

“We don’t like to draw at home, but that’s football. Our opponents defended really well and we were unable to score,” Valverde said. “Maybe we lacked a bit of spark, that’s possible. It is strange for us not to score here at our stadium.”

Valverde’s decision to bring both Paco Alcacer and Philippe Coutinho into the line-up did not have the desired impact. They both lasted just over an hour, with Coutinho forcing a fine save from Guaita from a curling strike in the 58th minute.

Ousmane Dembele came on in the second half for his first appearance since his latest spell on the sidelines, but the young France forward was also incapable of breaking down the Getafe back line.

Valencia reclaimed third place from Real Madrid thanks to a 3-1 win over city rivals Levante at Mestalla on Sunday night.

Reigning champs Real are still 17 points adrift of Barca, albeit with a game in hand.