Barcelona upset by the absence of police escort in Madrid ahead of Getafe clash | OneFootball

FC Barcelona flew to Madrid earlier today for their La Liga encounter against Getafe set to kick off at Coliseum Alfonso Perez in a few hours.

It marks the Blaugrana’s first La Liga match of 2025 and they go into it on a fine run of form, having won each of their four games so far in the new year.

Barcelona frustrated by lack of police escort

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s trip to Madrid has been marred by frustration after the club’s entourage arrived in the Spanish capital without a police escort.

The team arrived at midday ahead of tonight’s La Liga match against Getafe, but the Barcelona contingent was left upset due to the absence of National Police officers during their arrival at the airport and the journey to their hotel, the Intercontinental Hotel.

This marks the second consecutive year that Barcelona have travelled to Madrid and not been provided with a police escort, despite prior assurances that one would be provided this time.

Barcelona take on Getafe in La Liga tonight. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

The last instance without an escort occurred on 21 April 2024, ahead of the El Clasico against Real Madrid, which also caught the club by surprise.

In contrast to last year, when some fans managed to bypass the security measures surrounding the concentration hotel, this visit to face Getafe has attracted less attention.

There was no significant crowd of Barcelona supporters gathered near the hotel, which helped prevent any incidents upon the team’s arrival in Madrid.

Despite the frustration over the lack of a police presence, Barcelona are now focused on their preparations for the match, aiming to return to winning ways in La Liga and build on the positive performances displayed in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey.