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Barcelona endured a frustrating evening in their LaLiga season opener with a 0-0 draw in a feisty affair at Getafe marked by several bookings and three red cards on Sunday, including the dismissal of visiting manager Xavi Hernandez.
Champions Barca were dominating the match when their winger Raphinha was sent off in the 42nd minute for elbowing Gaston Alvarez in the head off the ball.
Getafe were then also reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute after Jaime Mata‘s fierce challenge on Ronald Araujo earned him a second yellow card.
Last season’s LaLiga top scorer Robert Lewandowski came closest for Barcelona with a close-range header which Alvarez managed to clear off the line in the 63rd minute.
Barca manager Xavi was also shown a red card in the 71st minute after complaining about a decision.
There was more controversy in added time when referee Cesar Soto Grado did not award what looked like a penalty for a foul on Araujo and after being asked by VAR to check the pitchside monitor signalled a handball in the build-up.