Barcelona seeking to go seven points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga
Barça will go seven clear on Saturday if they beat Getafe
Madrid then have a tricky trip to co-leaders Real Sociedad on Sunday
Pragmaticsm appears to be the attitude chosen by Ernesto Valverde when he goes into press conferences. When asked about rotations, he says: "This thing about rotating... you will see, but at the end of the day, we are here to win, let's not forget that." A declaration of intent which could be read as an implication that La Liga is the title at the top of el Txingurri's list of preferences. The Champions League is the jewell in the crown, but the league usually defines the overall work of a manager. And if he's in his first season in charge, it becomes even more important.
That does not mean there won't be changes at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez after a demanding game against Juventus in midweek. Everything suggests there will be one or two. But the target is to win. That's was made clear. Because that is always the obligation of the Blaugrana and, also, because the compensation of three points would be enormous.
A NOTABLE DIFFERENCE
Barça are top of the table after three wins from their opening three games: Betis (2-0), Alaves (0-2) and Espanyol (5-0). In contrast, Real Madrid have twice dropped points since opening the season with a win at Deportivo La Coruna (0-3). They have since been held to draws at home to Valencia and Levante. Therefore, the difference between the two teams is four points in favour of Barça, who share top spot with Real Sociedad after three games.
A win at Getafe would strike another blow on the table, taking Valverde's men on to 12 points and leaving Madrid on seven. Zinedine Zidane's side then travel to Real Sociedad on Sunday and would have little margin for error. They would be obliged to win or risk falling a long way back, even at this early stage of the season. Despite the fact it's too soon and La Liga has only just begun, seven points is a significant amount.
liderato o más ventaja
In this sense, the game between La Real and Madrid, if Barça beat Getafe, will beneift the Blaugrana come what may. If Madrid win, Barça would be out on their own on 12 points. While a victory for the home side at Anoeta would leave Madrid further behind Barça. A draw would combine both circumstances. Barça last visit to Getafe ended 0-2 and came in 2015-16. The previous season, though, in 2014-15, it ended in a goalless draw.
