Tafe night at office for Barca
ERNESTO VALVERDE claimed Barcelona’s hectic schedule had caught up with them as the unbeaten Laliga leaders were held to a goalless draw by Getafe at the Nou Camp.
Barca were underwhelming against their mid-table opponents, failing to register a shot on target during a first half when Luis Suarez had a goal correctly ruled out for offside.
Suarez was then denied late on by Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita as Valverde’s men missed out on the chance to re-establish a nine-point cushion at the top.
It was Barcelona’s 12th game in 39 days since the winter break and Valverde admitted tiredness might have been a factor.
“We were lacking some freshness and rhythm, especially in the first half,” Valverde said.
“Getafe are a team who stop you from playing so you don’t get close to their box. As the game went on we attacked more and more and despite our best efforts it wasn’t to be. They defended their box well and we lacked a bit of spark.
“We have had a busy month and have just reached a final.
“We can’t win every game we play or be 100 per cent all the time and this is why the coming week without a game comes at a great time for us to recover.”
Barcelona’s advantage over second-placed Atletico Madrid has been trimmed from 11 points at the start of this month to only seven now.
Valverde’s side have 15 games to go and their contests against Atleti and Real Madrid are both at the Nou Camp.