MADRID:
Xavi’s revamped Barcelona side thrashed Getafe 4-0 on Saturday to move up to second in La Liga, with Joao Felix and Rafinha on the scoresheet.
The defending champions climbed above Girona and have 57 points from 26 matches.
Leaders Real Madrid have 62 points and play their home game against Sevilla on Sunday.
Real Madrid are hoping to extend their unbeaten run in La Liga to 20 games as they await Sergio Ramos of old, who returns for the first time since leaving in 2021 to join PSG.
Joao Felix and Rafinha missed the 1-1 Champions League draw at Napoli in midweek and their return paid dividends.
“We knew which areas to attack and we opened them up on several occasions and that’s where the goals came from. It’s a win that gives us a bit more peace of mind,” Xavi said.
Brazilian forward Raphinha broke the deadlock on 20 minutes, closing in on a deep pass with a well-placed run and a slick shot into the bottom corner.
Rafinha was involved in the second goal as Felix doubled the lead with a long-range strike on 53 minutes, just after Getafe had hit the post.
Robert Lewandowski thought he had made it 3-0 just before the hour mark but was ruled out for offside.
The Pole has scored nine goals in his last 13 appearances but was twice denied by good saves on Saturday.
Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong made it 3-0 shortly after the hour mark with a well-taken shot from outside the box before Fermin Lopez grabbed a rebound in added time.
A minute’s silence was observed before the match as a mark of respect following the fire tragedy in a 14-storey block of flats that killed 10 people in Valencia.
The scheduled Liga match between Granada and Valencia has been postponed.
Later on Saturday bottom side Almería twice came from behind to hold Atletico Madrid to a 2-2 draw.
The stalemate left the hosts without a win this season after 26 matches.
Atletico, who lost 1-0 in their Champions League last-16 first leg at Inter Milan in midweek, remain fourth, 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid.
Angel Correa volleyed Diego Simeone’s side into a second-minute lead, with Milan loanee Luca Romero equalizing for Almeria before the half-hour mark.
Rodrigo de Paul restored Atletico’s lead on 57 minutes only for Romero to earn the hosts a fine equalizer shortly after a slick one-two with Jonathan Vieira.
Alaves and Real Mallorca ended 1-1.
On Sunday, champions Real Madrid face Sevilla, with third-placed Girona in action until Monday when they face Rayo Vallecano.
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