Barcelona secured second place in La Liga following a dour goalless draw with Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on Sunday, May 15.
The Blaugrana confirmed their place as runners-up despite a largely toothless display against their 14th-placed opponents.
The first-half in particular was a sleep-inducing affair involving very few chances. Getafe looked more likely to score as they forced Marc-André ter Stegen into a couple of decent saves.
Barcelona dominated possession throughout the encounter with 72% of the ball. However, they only managed five shots within the full 90 minutes, with only one of them on target.
Barca also completed over double the passes of Getafe. Yet, frustration was clearly starting to build with Xavi's side as they continued to give away cheap fouls to slow momentum down.
In truth, this game had a real end-of-season vibe to it. Both sides were content not to exert too much energy as neither had anything left to truly compete for.
Barcelona look toothless as Xavi Hernandez rings in changes changes despite recent winning run
The Blaugrana came into the clash on the back of three consecutive victories. They looked solid enough during their visit to the bottom-half hosts, despite changing three of their four-man backline.
Clement Lenglet and Oscar Mingueza came into the side to replace Eric Garcia and the injured Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan centre-half was hospitalized during Barca's previous game due to a sickening clash of heads with teammate Gavi.
Xavi also handed a start to teenager Alejandro Balde, who came into the team in place of Jordi Alba.
Xavi's side were depleted further as forward Memphis Depay continued his frustrating debut season at the Camp Nou when he was forced off with injury late on. He was replaced by Netherlands teammate Luuk de Jong.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also brought off on the hour mark following an anonymous showing. He was replaced by Spanish wonderkid Ansu Fati, who made just his eighth La Liga appearance of the season. The 19-year-old is continuing on his road to recovery following a season which has been blighted by injury.
Spain forward Ferran Torres managed to complete the full 90 minutes despite offering very little to the side in an attacking sense. The winger has scored just four goals in his 17 Liga appearances since his expensive January move from Manchester City.
Fans on Twitter expressed their displeasure over the drab nature of the game. Here are a few of the tweets:
yucckmtuyz
1
The was fixed
soundkillah_mix
2
barca's style of play doesn't come close to competing with any world class play at all. we really need to step up the game if we want to win trophies next season. we need to buy players and not playing the same set of people all match round.
Zere8
3
fixed match
kohbknu
0
foolishness its keeping ferran evrytime 90minutes,evn grezmann nd tricao ar better than ths spanish boy.Xavi stop favaritsm jst because feran is spansh
If he wasn’t Spanish Barca would never bought him, he needs to be surrounded by world class players to shine not something Barca needs at the moment, dembele is on fire this season, he truly showed his class and it’s about time
kohbknu
0
Not sure why people are upset, getafe did well enough to secure their spot in la liga next season, Barcelona weren’t going to win the league if they won they were runners up regardless of the outcome
Mabanychol
2
Barcelona if no Dembele no a party.
nudkrstuy
3
foolishness its keeping ferran evrytime 90minutes,evn grezmann nd tricao ar better than ths spanish boy.Xavi stop favaritsm jst because feran is spansh
ruhditz
1
why xavi not plying usmane dembel instead of ferran tores
Atom_Bomb
4
I don't see any trophy in future with the likes of Ferran playing with the Barca team. Literally a wasted players. Just wondering how Barca kicked out Messi on free transfer and sign this useless Ferran. 🤮🤮
KeamSongAngha
3
Welcome to Europa League if Xavi don't change his tactics 🙄
yakbeips
1
that was from a loan
Lol what u sayin they couldn’t take the loan since or what…Laporte made false promises he couldn’t keep he promised he’ll renew Messi he also promised he’ll get Haaland smh what a joke
cale233
0
But how much did they pay to buy him?
that was from a loan
yakbeips
0
bro messi salary was around 30-40 million ig ferran Torres will be around 5 million. that's the reason they couldn't register him.
But how much did they pay to buy him?
Keerthan4
0
Cmon they claim they didn’t have money to register Messi but they had enough money to buy ferran and pay him salary…Do they think we the fans are stupid???
bro messi salary was around 30-40 million ig ferran Torres will be around 5 million. that's the reason they couldn't register him.
rooeiu
4
Mr Xavi you are not doing well
Funcdemouz
2
Xavi system not as good compare to others big team performance. Xavi system just suitable for mid table team.
yakbeips
0
Even in 2012 when we had the best team football has ever seen we were still looking to buy players. We being “Back” doesn’t mean we don’t need to buy players nobody said the team is perfect, you must be dumb as rock smh
Look man we are not back in any way yes we were in a good run of form that mostly happens when a new coach takes over ….like seriously have you watched Barca last 5-6games aren’t you ashamed or surprised at what they are playing ???
yakbeips
5
Look I don’t know what Xavi is planning Ferran wasn’t even a starter in Mancity in fact he wasn’t even second on the list of wingers then Xavi wants him to be one of the most important wingers in the team????😂😂😂 We may most likely exit the champions league at group stage next season again
yakbeips
7
Cmon they claim they didn’t have money to register Messi but they had enough money to buy ferran and pay him salary…Do they think we the fans are stupid???
yakbeips
7
Barca need signings if De jong goes who would take he’s place in midfield Gavi??? Cmon what title do we expect to win with Pique a starter at center back Busquets in Dmf Gavi as a central midfielder and ferran as a winger ….I’m a true Barca Fan to the core but this team is just frustrating me
HardyMessiah
3
Where is Adama? Why he is not playing? Why Ferran is playing 90 minutes ? I thought Xavi is intelligent, but I don’t see him that much intelligent
songsohia
0
Y’all are dumb or what !! Half the players don’t even play and y’all think we will win every game ? Gotta be realistic sometimes TF
The Barca women win every game, why not the men
yakbeips
3
Real Madrid would have a forward line of Mbappe Benzema and Vinicius next season how are we gonna compete for tilted against them…it may take 10yrs befr we win another laliga
Amhar_MN
2
Who else almost fell asleep during that game😴
haaabcmosu
0
"we are back" they said😂😂😂barca after winning classico they though the team is now stable but truth be told if barca doesn't buy this summer especially defenders they will still suffer next season and even morethan than this season
Even in 2012 when we had the best team football has ever seen we were still looking to buy players. We being “Back” doesn’t mean we don’t need to buy players nobody said the team is perfect, you must be dumb as rock smh
ciccdeoyz
3
is like they play fixed match
peebeipst
2
okay I will send you little
Foecdmosyz
0
was Barca playing to win, how many shoots were on goal?
ossydeboss
6
Thank God 🙌🙌 Twitter didn't exploded this time around...
pisabcesy
0
Y’all are dumb or what !! Half the players don’t even play and y’all think we will win every game ? Gotta be realistic sometimes TF
ziadmopsty
5
The most boring game I have watched in a while 😤
jekacilstz
2
you nailed it
Wesaekly
2
"we are back" they said😂😂😂barca after winning classico they though the team is now stable but truth be told if barca doesn't buy this summer especially defenders they will still suffer next season and even morethan than this season