Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Getafe | La Liga GW7 | OneFootball

Barcelona return to action tomorrow night for their fourth game in just ten days as the schedule heats up.

On Wednesday night, the Blaugrana face off against Getafe in La Liga in what has become a clash of opposing styles ever since Jose Bordalas took over the reins of the club.

Getafe, well known for the low block and resilient defence, often pose a stiff hurdle for Barcelona who struggle to play their way through the compact defensive lines with their combination play.

This season, however, they have suffered a poor start to the campaign with four draws and two losses to their name.

Hunting for their first win, they now cross paths with league leaders Barcelona who appear rejuvenated under Hansi Flick’s management and have a 100% record in La Liga so far.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Getafe.

Back home after long

The last time Barcelona played at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, they registered their largest win of the season as they pelted seven goals past a helpless Real Valladolid.

Immediately after the massive victory, the team dispersed for the international break and a two-week hiatus from club football followed.

Upon their return to action, Barça travelled to Estadi Montilivi to take on Girona before taking a long trip to France for the UEFA Champions League curtain-raiser against Monaco.

Most recently, Flick’s men were once again away from home playing against Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica and finally return home now after a long hiatus.

24 days after their last home game, Barcelona will thus take to the field at Montjuic tomorrow in front of their fans in what will be a special moment for the team.

The objective against Getafe, thus, will be to provide fans with an experience similar to what they delivered in the last home game and one can expect an electric atmosphere on the night.

All eyes on Inaki Pena

In the spotlight. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The visuals of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury against Villarreal were horrific as the player was stretchered off the field with a painful knee injury.

Tests earlier this week confirmed a complete rupture of his right patellar tendon and the player thus underwent immediate surgery to begin his recovery.

With the captain unlikely to feature again this season, the administration are under pressure to find a replacement goalkeeper at the earliest. Until then, all lights shine bright on Inaki Pena.

The homegrown star replaced the German goalkeeper in the last game and will start once more tomorrow. While indeed it is a big opportunity for him to prove his worth, it comes with massive pressure as well.

A lot rides on the quality Pena can bring to the table in goal, especially given that he did not do a great job filling in Ter Stegen’s shoes last season.

Should he step up to the occasion, the administration can breathe a sigh of relief at least in terms of securing an immediate replacement.

Tomorrow will thus be a big test for the academy product as he makes his first start of the season and looks to leave a good impression on the new manager. Can the 25-year-old step up?

The Pablo Torre question

As part of his rotations at the weekend, Flick handed Pablo Torre a start in the attacking midfield role. After all, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez’s injuries have left a void in the position.

Taking the opportunity with both hands, the 21-year-old midfielder scored a goal from distance and even recorded a wonderful assist for Robert Lewandowski’s opener.

Further, Torre racked up two key passes, created one big chance and completed 85% of his passes on the night.

Flick thus faces a dilemma ahead of tomorrow’s game over providing the young phenom continuity in his plans.

With Ferran Torres back from suspension, the manager will be tempted to start the winger on the left flank and shift Raphinha back to a central role where he operated in the first few games of the season.

If he opts to give Torre another start, however, Torres would have to be benched and Raphinha shifted back to the false-winger role on the left. Given Flick’s attitude towards well-performing youngsters, however, one would expect the latter.