On Ilkay Gündogan’s debut: FC Barcelona surprisingly only drew in the Primera División on Sunday evening (08/13/2023) at FC Getafe. Real Madrid, on the other hand, easily defeated Athletic Bilbao. Jude Bellingham scored in his first La Liga game.
With Robert Lewandowski and new signing Ilkay Gündogan in the starting XI and with national goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as captain, FC Barcelona started the new La Liga season at FC Getafe. But the start was one that they would certainly like to forget quickly at “Barca”.
There were no goals in a game that both teams ended with one field player down. First, Barcelona’s Raphina saw red for an assault (42′), in the second half then Getafe’s Jaime Mata (57’/repeated foul play). Barcelona coach Xavi also experienced the final phase of the game from an unusual perspective. He was too upset by referee César Soto Grado’s decisions, which is why Xavi was sent to the stands with just over 20 minutes to go.
Gündogan has the chance, but fails
And Gündogan, the La Liga debutant? Often appeared on the left in “Barca’s” midfield and perhaps had the reigning champions’ best chance when he was denied by Getafe’s goalkeeper David Soria from close range (77′). He was substituted a little later. Gündogan, 32, switched from Champions League winners Manchester City to the Spanish champions this summer.
Excitement again at the end
When everything looked like a goalless draw when the 13th minute of stoppage time was already played, there was excitement again. A Getafe defender touched Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo in the box but was that a penalty too? According to the video images, referee César Soto Grado did not whistle him, instead he punished a previous handball by Gavi.
Bellingham scores on debut – Real win easily
Real Madrid already had a new signing on Saturday (08/12/2023). Jude Bellingham celebrated a successful start to the season in La Liga in central midfield. The ex-Dortmunder scored his first league goal for the “Royals” in a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao.
Rodrygo (28th) had given Madrid the lead before Bellingham scored with a volley after a corner kick to make it 2-0 (36′). Real Madrid, in which the Germans Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger as well as veterans Luca Modric initially sat on the bench, delivered a sovereign performance with the feared opponent of the past few years.
The visitors were on course after Rodrygo put the ball ahead with a shot from the near corner against Spain international goalkeeper Unai Simon. David Alaba failed shortly afterwards from close range (34th). But then it made it better Bellingham. The 103 million euro transfer was completely free with a corner kick. The Englishman didn’t hit the shot properly, but the ball flew untenably over Simon into the left corner.
In round two, Real, where Rüdiger and Kroos came on as substitutes, didn’t let anything burn.