When the 2023–24 La Liga season began, Barcelona found themselves up against Getafe in their opening-round match. The contest was marked by heated exchanges and a contentious elbow strike that rendered Ilkay Gundogan gasping for air.
ROJA PERDONADA a Damián Suárez por AGRESION SIN BALON A Gundogan
Y lleva varias
VERGÜENZA DE VARhttps://t.co/gQH7CHiIUi
— madridblaugrana (@madridblaugrana) August 13, 2023
Gundogan can't breath correctly as Damian Suarez hits Gundogan's chest with his elbow. No yellow card. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/fpOP9be3cX
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 13, 2023
Getafe, under the direction of Jose Bordalas, demonstrated their renowned tenacity on the field by going three league seasons without losing at home against Barcelona. Despite a physical first 45 minutes, neither team managed to generate many good chances to score goals.
Just before halftime of a tense match, Brazilian winger Raphinha was sent off for an obnoxious elbow on Gaston Alvarez. Barcelona had just ten players left on the field as a result of the dismissal.
Due to complaints from the touchline, Xavi Hernandez, the coach of Barcelona, received a red card of his own. The game ended in a scoreless draw, which was a familiar beginning for the defending champions since their season had also started with a draw the year before.
Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu, two summer additions, made their Barcelona debuts as Getafe put up a tough fight by repeatedly fouling them. Many people were surprised by how rough Damian Suarez’s forceful chest barge against Gundogan was.
Raphinha was forced to leave the match after hitting Gaston Alvarez with an elbow as a result of the mounting tensions. Although the Brazilian had displayed promise on the field, Barcelona now faced a numerical disadvantage as a result of his actions.
Barcelona was unable to make the crucial breakthrough despite Xavi’s tactical halftime substitutions and late substitutions, which included the introduction of 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal and Ansu Fati. Extended stoppage time and a VAR review of a penalty claim added to the match’s drama.
Barcelona was put on the back foot as they attempted to catch up to rival Real Madrid, who secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, as the game ended with a score of 0-0. Suarez’s elbow strike, which punctuated the game’s physicality, brought to light the adversity that both teams would face during the La Liga season.
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