Barcelona held at home by Getafe

New Delhi: After a dreadful first half, Barcelona finally found their spirit to equalise against a tenacious Getafe side at Camp Nou. However, there was to be no winning goal.

Until well after the hour mark Manu del Moral's delightful, curving opener separated these two sides, but from Seydou Keita's equaliser onwards it was one-way traffic, albeit without another goal.

It was far from a good start from the Blaugrana, who conceded corners and free kicks in abundance as they struggled to find their rhythm early on.

Indeed, the visitors managed the first meaningful shot on goal, Granero's free-kick from the left-hand side of the box testing Valdes.

And on the 20 minute mark Getafe's pressure paid off with a lovely opener. Manu del Moral brought the ball forward solo and, with Pique hesitant, attempted to play the ball through. However it merely hit off the defender's heel and back to him, after which he edged the ball to the right and unleashed a trundling, curving shot that left Valdes quite helpless.

Bojan forced a corner at the other end with a neat volley - a rare moment of succour in what was a poor game for the youngster - but a lack of pace and confidence in Barcelona's play was still more than apparent.

Meanwhile Getafe were playing with something resembling confidence, Barcelona's right flank being left exposed for Gavilan to do with what he will. However the likes of Albin were unable to extend their side's lead before the break.

It was clear as the second half began that Barcelona needed to do something drastic, and this they did, withdrawing the ineffectual Hleb and Bojan pairing for Thierry Henry and Pedro.

Almost immediately the difference was clear as Pique headed just wide after a corner, and while Albin was to only just miss the target at the other end Barcelona were in a period of ascendancy.

Thus it was no surprise when Keita leveled the scores 71 minutes in. Rafa, brought on as a surprise substitute for Licht, couldn't catch Alves down the right, and the Brazilian floated in a far-post cross to Seydou Keita. The midfielder, unencumbered by a marker, managed to head past Pato Abbondanzieri, and it was 1-1.

Then came a massive burst of pressure from the blaugrana, culminating in on particularly excellent header from Pique that forced an absolute wonder-save from Pato to tip it over the bar.

The corners and chances were coming thick and fast, and though Getafe had one gilt-edged chance on the counter it was really all Barcelona until the end.

Still, Geta held on for a precious, precious point in their relegation battle, although Barcelona will see this - the end of their nine-game winning run in La Liga - as two points dropped.

More from Goal.comI-League Round 10 preview