Getafe 1 Barcelona 2: Paulinho smashes late winner as untidy Barcelona just squeeze in
PAULINHO proved an unlikey match-winner for struggling Barcelona.
The Brazilian midfielder's £36.5million move from Guangzhou was greeted with scant interest when he was unveiled at the Nou Camp.
But he came on in the 77th minute at Getafe and seven minutes later hit the winner.
Paulinho burst into the box, held off a challenge from Djene and smashed a superb finish across Vicente Guaita and into the far corner of the net.
Barcelona heavyweights Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele all started for Barcelona.
But the Catalan giants struggled to get going and were hit by a 39th minute thunderbolt from Gaku Sibaski.
The Japanese midfielder thanked Damian Sanchez and Markel Bergara for the build-up work as he slammed a brilliant left-footer past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
That meant the last three La Liga goals conceded by Barcelona have been scored by Japanese players: Takashi Inui (2) and now Shibasaki.
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Barca had won their opening three league games but struggled as Getafe almost doubled their lead when Faycal Fajr drove a fraction over the bar.
The visitors weren't helped when Dembele pulled up chasing a ball into the left corner with what looked like hamstring trouble.
That was in the 25th minute - not a happy league debut for the £96.8million signing from Borussia Dortmund.
Dembele's withdrawal obviously Barca's rythym as they produced only spasmodic attempts at goal top scorer Messi for once subdued.
But they came good in the 65th minute through substitute Denis Suarez.
Sergi Roberto persevered down the right before cutting the ball back into the box for Suarez to
clip a lovely finish high into the net.
Getafe appealed vehemently for a penalty but a challenge by Samuel Umtiti on Alvaro Jiminbez was actually a good one.
Barca threw on Paulinho for Ivan Rakitic in the closing stages .
And the ploy worked as the Brazilian literally went from zero to hero in the eyes of Barca fans.
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