Memphis hands Barcelona a 2-1 win over Getafe

Barcelona, Spain, Aug 29 (EFE).- Once again, Memphis Depay saved the day for Barcelona, this time handing the team a win on Sunday over Getafe by scoring the 2-1 at Camp Nou in a match where the home squad seemed unsure of itself, almost never seemed to get the game under control and where all the scoring was finished by the half-hour mark.

The Dutchman gave Ronald Koeman’s Catalan team its three points with a surprising play, but earlier Sergi Roberto had gotten Barca on the board first just two minutes into the semi-action, after which Getafe’s Sandro Ramirez, with help from Carles Aleña, had evened things up in the 19th minute.

Depay’s tally in the 30th minute – a lovely low shot just inside the post, a pop that goaltender David Soria couldn’t get to in time – was his second La Liga goal for Barca, which, for the first time in almost 20 years without the services of Lionel Messi, now with Paris Saint-Germain, has nevertheless won two of its first three La Liga matches and drawn the other.

The first tally by Roberto came after a nice cross by Jordi Alba, whereupon Getafe’s Ramirez managed to get the team – which hadn’t scored in league play all season – on the board with the equalizer 17 minutes later.

Then, it was Depay’s turn for what proved to be the gamewinner, although Barca striker Martin Braithwaite found the twine near the end of the second half but the goal was disallowed on an offside call and Depay had a good chance right in front of the net in the 85th minute but sent the ball over the crossbar.

The 26,543 fans on hand at Camp Nou didn’t see Gerard Pique in his customary defending role, given that he is out with a muscle injury.

So far, no La Liga team has won all three of its opening matches, although defending champs Atletico Madrid could notch their third victory later on Sunday against Villarreal. In the meantime, five teams have won two of their first three and drawn the other for a total of seven points: Barca, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia and Mallorca.

Lineups:

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Emerson Royal (Dest, min. 62), Araujo, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto (Gavi, min. 74), Frenkie de Jong; Memphis, Griezmann (Mingueza, min. 83) and Braithwaite (Nico González, min. 74).

Getafe: David Soria; Iglesias (Damian, min. 46), Djene (Koffi, min. 83), Mitrovic, Olivera; Aleña (Timor, min. 60), Arambarri, Maksimovic, Jankto; Enes ünal (Macias, min. 74) and Sandro (Mata, min. 60).