Barcelona player ratings v Getafe: Ter Stegen 8, Pedri 7, Dembele 6, Fati 5

Barca claim 1-0 win at Camp Nou to maintain their three-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga

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  BARCELONA PLAYER ATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 8: Early save from Unai and then beaten by Mayoral in the same attack – but saved by the offside flag. Splendid save when he rushed out to meet Mayoral on 41. Kept his side in the game. Man of the match. “We are seeing the best Ter Stegen in a long time,” said Xavi. “Today, in the one v ones he was spectacular. He’s a leader.” Reuters

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  Alejandro Balde 7: Impressive against Real Madrid in the Super Cup last week – and the trophy was presented on the pitch pre-match – and his increased confidence was apparent as he ran at the Getafe defence. He was so advanced that he was out of position when Getafe countered. AP

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  Jules Kounde 8: Barca haven’t conceded a goal in the last five games he’s started. Dealt well with Getafe’s fast attackers, cleaned up well as his side stayed clear at the top. Moved to right back late on. Getty

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  Andreas Christensen 7: Dashed into Getafe half to win the ball in midfield to play it forward to Raphinha in the build up to the first goal. Another game alongside Kounde at the back, but he came off at half time having felt discomfort in his hamstring. EPA

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  Sergi Roberto 6: Third game in seven days – in three different continents. Unbeaten in 11. Steady. AP

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  Pedri 7: Put his side ahead after 34, his fourth league goal of the season as he jumped into meet a Raphinha ball. His performance – all driving runs, flicks and kicks, justified the crowd singing his name. Terrible back pass was intercepted by Mayoral on 41 and Pedri put his head into his hands until Ter Stegen saved him. Barca have never lost a game when Pedri’s scored. AP

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  Sergio Busquets 7: Another key performance for the captain in front of the 79,814 crowd as the Catalans had 72 per cent of possession. Lost a 79th minute ball which led to a Getafe counter. AP

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  Gavi 7: He was everywhere, scrapping and fighting for the ball, but he missed De Jong. And as his teammate Pedri said: "Getafe are a very complicated side to face. They leave very little space. We have to learn to kill off games better. These three points are very important.” EPA

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  Raphinha 7: Skilful on the right, beating his man and crossing - though it was harder without Lewandowski. Switched to the left and crossed for the opening goal, weighting a beautiful pass towards the incoming Pedri. Annoyed to come off. “Raphinha is being decisive,” said Xavi. “Today the assist, the other day the goal. If he gets angry because of the substitution it’s normal." EPA

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  Ansu Fati 5: Hard for him against Getafe’s obdurate defence. Struggled controlling the ball in a game of few chances. “Ansu Fati played a good game,” said Xavi. “We struggled to find solutions because Getafe defended with five at the back and they had four in midfield." AP

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  Ousmane Dembele 6: Took Barca’s first strike on goal after 7. Booked after 67 following a poor challenge on Alderete. Can mesmerize but the end product wasn’t there. AFP

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  SUBS: Eric Garcia (Christensen 45’) 6: “Getafe has made it very difficult for us,” he said. “They are fighting at the bottom of the table, but they have players of a high level." AFP

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  Jordi Alba (Balde 45’) 6: Played a half against La Liga’s 16th placed team. AP

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  Franck Kessie (Raphinha 62’) 6: Could have made it 2-0 with an 85th minute shot, which was well saved. EPA

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  Marcos Alonso (Roberto 77’) 6: Played as a central defender. Excellent tackle two minutes later to block a Getafe counter. Getty

Barcelona maintained their lead over Real Madrid in La Liga on Sunday after Pedri's first-half strike earned a 1-0 win over Getafe at Camp Nou.

Leaders Barca climbed to 44 points to maintain their three-point lead on Real, who later beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0. Getafe are 16th and level with Celta Vigo and 18th-placed Real Valladolid on 17 points, just above the relegation zone thanks to a superior goal difference.

Barca manager Xavi Hernandez made several changes to his regular team, resting key players such as Robert Lewandowski, Ronald Araujo, and Frenkie de Jong ahead to their Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against Real Sociedad on Wednesday.

Pedri opened the scoring in the 34th minute when he latched onto a pass from Raphinha and tapped into an empty net.

With almost 70 per cent of possession, Barcelona were dominant in every aspect of the game but did not create many clear opportunities to extend their lead, with only four shots on target the entire match.

After a first half in which Ansu Fati wasted a couple of chances before Pedri's goal, Barcelona came back from the break at a slower pace and seamed content with their advantage as Getafe failed to mount a serious threat.

"We were not great tonight, it was not our best game at home and we have to improve a lot, but we got the three points and that's massive," coach Xavi told Movistar Plus.

"We struggled against an opponent who played with a low block with five-man on defence. It was an important victory in which we did not give our best version."

Andy Mitten has provided the Barcelona player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.