Barcelona stumble in dull draw with Getafe

La Liga leader Barcelona failed to break down Getafe in a dull 0-0 league draw Sunday, leaving the Catalans seven points clear at the top of the table. Philippe Coutinho came close with a long range effort which was tipped wide by Vicente Guaita, with the Getafe goalkeeper also blocking a Yerry Mina header and a late effort from Luis Suarez. Barca talisman Lionel Messi was below his best and off-target with various set-pieces, while Ousmane Dembele returned from injury but could not help from the Nou Camp bench. After second-placed Atletico Madrid won at Malaga Saturday, Barca's draw means Diego Simeone's side have eaten into their lead by two points.

¡@Atleti, @valenciacf y @realmadrid recortan distancias al @FCBarcelona_es! ?#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/E6R1yLtzDV

— LaLiga (@LaLiga) February 11, 2018

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde was forced to play full back Lucas Digne in the centre of defence, alongside January signing Mina, making his full debut, due to injuries to Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen, and Samuel Umtiti's suspension. However the makeshift pairing was relatively solid, with Getafe creating few chances, the best of which saw Mina block Angel Rodriguez's shot after the forward broke through. Barca failed to record a shot on target in the first half, something which has not happened since 2012, as they showed signs of tiredness after Thursday's King's Cup semi-final win at Valencia. Suarez volleyed in just before halftime but was correctly ruled offside, with the Uruguayan ranting furiously at the assistant referee in frustration.

??? ¡URUGUAY = G⚽L! ??? Hasta tres jugadores uruguayos, presentes entre los cinco máximos goleadores de #LaLigaSantander. pic.twitter.com/5lefVlYmcN

— LaLiga (@LaLiga) February 11, 2018

Towering defender Mina came close with two headers, one stopped by Guaita and another which flew inches past the post, as Barca failed to break down the visitor. RESULTS Sevilla 1 (Sarabia 46) Girona 0 Barcelona 0 Getafe 0 Celta 2 (Gomez 32, 80) Espanyol 2 (Baptistao 10, Moreno 87) Valencia 3 (Mina 17, Vietto 65, Parejo 89-P) Levante 1 (Postigo 18)   MONDAY'S MATCH Deportivo v Betis