Deadly Depay on target as Barcelona wins post Messi era

By , K24 Digital
On Sun, 29 Aug, 2021 21:14 | 2 mins read
Barcelona forward Memphis Depay during a past La Liga fixture: PHOTO/COURTESY

Barcelona's Memphis Depay scored for the second game in a row to give his side a 2-1 win at home to Getafe in LaLiga on Sunday in another unconvincing overall performance from the Catalans.

Sergi Roberto put Barca ahead in the second minute, sliding in to meet a Jordi Alba cross after a flowing team move.

Sandro Ramirez pulled Getafe level in the 19th minute after Sergio Busquets lost the ball in his own half and the visitors broke with purpose, the striker firing a low shot past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen following a neat interchange with Carles Alena.

Barca looked rattled for a moment but restored their lead on the half-hour mark when Frenkie de Jong fed compatriot Depay and the forward flummoxed visiting keeper David Soria with an early strike which crept inside the near post.

It was the second time in eight days, Depay had got his new club out of trouble after scoring a superb half-volley in the 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.

Barca are fourth in the table, but level on seven points with provisional leaders Real Madrid after their opening three games.

Dutchman Depay showed good skill from Frenkie de Jong's pass before rifling into the bottom corner after half an hour for the winner in front of about 26,000 fans.

It was the first La Liga goal scored and assisted by a Dutch player since 2009.

Barcelona - who brought on 17-year-old Gavi for a second-half debut - remain unbeaten on seven points from three games. Getafe have lost all their matches.

There was a return from injury for Barca keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who missed the opening two weeks after knee surgery.

Ronald Koeman's Barca were far from convincing but could have won by more, with Ronald Araujo having a goal ruled out for offside and Depay volleying over.