Getafe vs Barcelona - Barcelona will not underestimate Getafe

Posted Saturday, September 16, 2017 by PA

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde insists his side will take nothing for granted as they bid to extend their perfect start to the new season at newly-promoted Getafe on Saturday.

Valverde's men already sit four points clear of chief rivals Real Madrid after winning all their games without conceding a goal - as well as brushing aside the challenge of Juventus in the Champions League.

Getafe grabbed their first win in the top flight away to Leganes last Friday and Valverde insisted: "Getafe are a good side who are very aggressive in defence and so they are a very good test for us.

"They have got that positive energy through being a side who have just come back up to the first division and they have started the season well, so we are expecting a very tough game."

Valverde indicated he will make changes at the start of a week which will see a home game against Eibar on Tuesday night followed by a trip to Girona next Saturday.

Paco Alcacer has returned to training after missing the Juventus game due to illness but Arda Turan and Rafinha Alcantara will both remain on the sidelines for most, if not all, of a busy week.

Valverde added: "Obviously the squad is more than the 11 players who go out there, so we will have to use them during the whole season, and when the games come thick and fast there could be changes."

Getafe coach Jose Bordelas was delighted with the way his side grabbed a late winner in Leganes and believes the result came at the ideal time to prepare them for the visit of Lionel Messi and co.

His side looked set to have to wait a little longer for their first top-flight win when the home side cancelled out an early strike, but Alvaro Jimenez pounced eight minutes from time to grab his side victory.

Bordelas said: "The Barcelona game comes at a good moment for us, and we are very much motivated to face this match.

"We go into the game on the back of a very important victory for us at Leganes, and that stimulates us to face this big commitment."