Reigning La Liga champions Barcelona kicked off their title defence with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Getafe on Sunday, with both sides reduced to 10 men in a bad-tempered clash.
Barcelona’s winger Rapinha was sent off the field for a foul elbow tackle in the first half while Getafe’s Jaime Mata was dismissed for two yellow cards early in the second.
In addition to that, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez was also sent out for touchline squabbles as his side pushed for a late winner but, like last season, began their La Liga campaign goalless.
Xavi handed debuts to their recent summer signings — Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu — in Barcelona’s one of the most uncomfortable away trips of the season.
The Catalans had failed to score in their last three visits to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez and Getafe got in Barcelona’s faces right away.
Damin Suarez barged former Manchester City midfielder Gundogan in the chest among other four tackles.
Raphinha, who was targeted on multiple occasions, eventually snapped, flinging an elbow into Gaston Alvarez’s head, which resulted in him receiving a red card.
Barcelona failed to make a breakthrough and will have to play catch-up after rivals Real Madrid pulled ahead with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
In another La Liga fixture, Real Betis snatched a late win over Villarreal, courtesy of Willian Jose’s stoppage-time strike.
Ayoze Perez put the visitors ahead after fine work by Luis Henrique, but Jorge Cuenca pulled Villarreal level before Jose’s late winner.
Last Copa del Rey’s runners-up Osasuna won 2-0 at Celta Vigo, inflicting defeat on the Galicians in veteran manager Rafa Benitez’s first game at the helm.
The defending champions next face Cadiz on Sunday while their traditional rivals Real Madrid will take on Almeria a day earlier.
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