Madrid (dpa) - Barcelona fell four points behind Spanish Liga leaders
Real Madrid on Saturday with a disappointing 0-0 draw at midtable
Getafe.
"This is a step backwards for us, a negative result," Barca's
veteran playmaker Xavi said.
"It was the kind of match which normally goes our way, but we just couldn't open up their defence. They were very strong at the back. We created four good chances but didn't put them away."
Under heavy rain in Getafe, Barca dominated possession but struggled to break down Getafe's packed defence, which was well marshalled by goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
Both teams had good penalty claims turned down in the first half, and Barca keeper Claudio Bravo did well to keep out a powerful drive from Angel Lafita.
The closest that Barca came to breaking the deadlock was when Lionel Messi hit the Getafe crossbar on the hour.
The Catalans seemed to badly miss the spark and invention of injury victim Neymar. Luis Suarez turned in another dull display and is still looking for his first goal in La Liga.
"The state of the pitch certainly did not help us," Barca's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said.
"We did not move the ball around quickly enough. We created openings but we didn't take advantage of them."
Meanwhile, Barca coach Luis Enrique said: "I am not unhappy with this but we do have to improve.
"We were better than Getafe. We had to take risks towards the end ... Today we did everything but score."
His Getafe counterpart, Cosmin Contra, said: "I am pleased with this and proud of my team. We showed a great spirit of sacrifice today."
Barca's right-back Dani Alves limped off with a muscle injury late on.
The draw left Barca with 35 points from 15 games, four less than leaders Real, who on Friday crushed Almeria 4-1 in what was their 20th straight win in all competitions.
Later Saturday, fifth-placed Valencia trounced Rayo Vallecano 3-0, with two early goals from Sofiane Feghouli before a third from Pablo Piatti.
Saturday's late games were Cordoba against Levante and Malaga versus Celta Vigo.
"This is a step backwards for us, a negative result," Barca's
veteran playmaker Xavi said.
"It was the kind of match which normally goes our way, but we just couldn't open up their defence. They were very strong at the back. We created four good chances but didn't put them away."
Under heavy rain in Getafe, Barca dominated possession but struggled to break down Getafe's packed defence, which was well marshalled by goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
Both teams had good penalty claims turned down in the first half, and Barca keeper Claudio Bravo did well to keep out a powerful drive from Angel Lafita.
The closest that Barca came to breaking the deadlock was when Lionel Messi hit the Getafe crossbar on the hour.
The Catalans seemed to badly miss the spark and invention of injury victim Neymar. Luis Suarez turned in another dull display and is still looking for his first goal in La Liga.
"The state of the pitch certainly did not help us," Barca's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said.
"We did not move the ball around quickly enough. We created openings but we didn't take advantage of them."
Meanwhile, Barca coach Luis Enrique said: "I am not unhappy with this but we do have to improve.
"We were better than Getafe. We had to take risks towards the end ... Today we did everything but score."
His Getafe counterpart, Cosmin Contra, said: "I am pleased with this and proud of my team. We showed a great spirit of sacrifice today."
Barca's right-back Dani Alves limped off with a muscle injury late on.
The draw left Barca with 35 points from 15 games, four less than leaders Real, who on Friday crushed Almeria 4-1 in what was their 20th straight win in all competitions.
Later Saturday, fifth-placed Valencia trounced Rayo Vallecano 3-0, with two early goals from Sofiane Feghouli before a third from Pablo Piatti.
Saturday's late games were Cordoba against Levante and Malaga versus Celta Vigo.
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