Robert Lewandowski had the first chance of the game, but his powerful header went just over the bar as Barca attempted to unpick Getafe’s ultra-defensive back five.
Dani Olmo then failed to play in the Polish international when the visitors threatened again, and though they were playing the better football, the hosts’ more physical approach was also paying dividends, as Mauro Arambarri went close on a couple of occasions.
Joao Cancelo was particularly industrious down Barca’s right-hand side, and his pass freed up Olmo just before the half-hour mark, but the striker’s ball in was easily dealt with.
In the lead-up to half-time, Roony Bardghji fired a rocket goalwards, though it fizzed past the upright and out of harm’s way. Getafe broke soon after, and at one stage, had a two-on-one situation; however, Davinchi made a mess of his attempted cross.
During stoppage time, Fermin Lopez once again illustrated his importance to the Blaugrana when placing the ball beyond the reach of David Soria to hand the visitors a vital lead at the break.
Getafe came out after the break with a bit more purpose, and for the opening 10 minutes of the half, they were flying into tackles to try and unsettle the league leaders.
It was Olmo who came closest to adding to Barca’s lead, yet Soria was grateful to get two hands on the striker’s sweeping right-foot shot before Jules Kounde’s glancing header sailed just wide of the post.
If the hosts wanted to find a way back into the game with just over 20 minutes left, they needed to have a much higher share of possession than the 20.3% they’d posted collectively.
Olmo again missed the target when well-placed, before Marcus Rashford had the freedom of the Coliseum to put the visitors 2-0 up as Getafe’s entire outfield was caught upfield.
That goal helped see out a result that puts the Catalans 11 points clear at the summit with five games left to play, and they could lift the league title with wins against Osasuna and Real Madrid in their next two games.
Getafe, meanwhile, are at risk of dropping out of the European places if results elsewhere go against them this weekend.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Fermin Lopez (Barcelona)
