da heads bet： Barcelona had their right winger and manager sent off in a frustrating scoreless draw to open their 2023-24 La Liga campaign

da poker： Barcelona opened their La Liga campaign in a frustrating fashion as they were dragged into a fiery contest by Getafe and failed to score in the first game of their title defence. There was admittedly little football played on Sunday night, with three red cards shown, and cautions abound.

This was always going to be a chippy contest. Jose Bordalas made a name for himself as an employer of the dark arts in his first stint for Getafe, and his team operated in a predictable fashion. The home side went about disrupting things, throwing elbows, diving into tackles and chirping at a flustered referee.

There were some glimpses of football, though. Getafe could have taken the lead early, but Juanmi Latasa tripped over himself after running through on goal. Oriol Romeu came close for Barca shortly after, dragging an effort just wide of the post from outside the box. Raphinha had a chance, too, drawing a neat save out of the home side's goalkeeper.

The Brazilian was involved again on the stroke of half time, albeit in more reactive circumstances — seeing a straight red card for a jarring elbow to his opposite number's head. Getafe evened things to 10 vs 10 shortly after the break, though, as Jaime Mata was shown his marching orders for a second yellow.

And despite the numerical parity, Barca never found an edge. Substitute Ansu Fati came closest, skying a close-range effort from a Lamine Yamal cross. They then had a last minute penalty shout turned away after a lengthy VAR review — an appropriately messy end to a chaotic affair.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Coliseum Alfonso Perez…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):

Didn't really have a save to make. Will at least take the clean sheet.

Ronald Araujo (5/10):

Hilariously avoided a caution after catching an over-hit ball. Not really involved in the football side of things, but was willingly scrappy as things heated up. Could have won his side a penalty in stoppage time.

Jules Kounde (5/10):

Shaky in the early goings, and was perhaps unfortunate not to concede a penalty. Simply not the answer at centre-back.

Andreas Christensen (6/10):

Recovered from a knock to make the starting XI. Was pretty quiet before being sacrificed at half time for a more attacking threat.

Alejandro Balde (6/10):

Couldn't do much going forward, with Getafe offering little room in behind. Like many others, improved after the break.

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Oriol Romeu (6/10):

Didn't really do anything wrong, and created Barca's best chance of the first half. Still looks an odd fit in a team full of stars.

Frenkie de Jong (7/10):

Probably the only cool midfield head in an otherwise manic first half. Moved back to central defence in the second, where he was a valuable creative influence.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

Played on after receiving a nasty elbow to the chest. Looked dangerous in the second half, only to be substituted for younger legs.

Pedri (6/10):

Seemed intimidated by the physicality of things, and struggled to get himself into the game in the first half. Improved after the break, but doesn't have the bite for these contests — yet.

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Raphinha (3/10):

Got kicked around a lot, but was foolish enough to react, seeing red for a silly elbow. Likely out for three games.

Robert Lewandowski (5/10):

Starved of chances. Spent most of the game tussling with Getafe's centre-backs off the ball.

GettySubs & Manager

Ez Abde (6/10):

Offered a much-needed injection of quality in the second half. Missed a couple of half chances; at least he was willing to have a go.

Lamine Yamal (6/10):

A bright spark off the bench. Created a glorious opportunity for Ansu Fati. Might be in with a start after Raphinha's red.

Ansu Fati (5/10):

Fired over from close range — missing one of Barca's only real clear chances.

Gavi (N/A):

Seemed to love the chippiness of the game, but didn't really contribute much.

Xavi (3/10):

Went for a full strength lineup, but saw it entirely disrupted by an aggressive Getafe side. Was sent off for arguing with the fourth official. Not his best day at all.