Barcelona had not lost since April 30, starting this season unbeaten in 21 matches, and the overall unbeaten streak was one shy of the club record set from September to January last season. Getafe's defensive plan to stifle Barcelona's vaunted attack succeeded where so many others had failed, before Valera powered in a corner in the second half in his team's only shot on goal.
Barcelona pressed for the equalizer and grew more dangerous as the game approached the final whistle. Lionel Messi had a goal disallowed for offside in second-half injury time, then hit a post in stoppage time just before the final whistle as the the Catalans' title hopes were dented.
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"We suffered to win this one but we deserved it," Valera said. "They
are so good. We worked hard today and happened to have that bit of luck
you need to beat them."
With all the action taking place in Madrid, Barca saw title rivals Real come from behind to thrash Atletico 4-1 in the derby just before this match and needed a win to close back to within three of their fierce foes just two weeks ahead of the clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But it was a less-than-impressive performance from Pep Guardiola's side, so slick against AC Milan in a 3-2 win at San Siro in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Getafe stunned the visitors as Valera headed home mid-way through the second half.
Guardiola welcomed back Gerard Pique and Dani Alves in a strong side, with Alexis Sanchez chosen on the right, David Villa on the left and Lionel Messi in the centre as Barca began their second successive match in their third kit. But while they had looked in superb touch in Milan, it was a subdued showing this time around.
Messi sent an early free kick just wide and was later thwarted as Getafe goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya saved at his feet, but the hosts were lively as well and Miku came close on two occasions in the opening 45 minutes.
Barca attacked higher up the pitch in the second half, but Alexis was particularly disappointing and Thiago was no match for the missing Andres Iniesta.
Moya saved again from Messi and Valera shot wide at the other end as Getafe looked to do damage on the break. And incredibly, the home side took the lead after 67 minutes, when Varela headed home from Pablo Sarabia's corner.
Barca rallied after that and pressed forward in search of a late leveller.
And they thought they had got it when Messi converted right at the end, but the flag was raised for offside and the Catalans were left frustrated.
Messi, who scored an added-time equalizer in Barcelona's last away game at Athletic Bilbao, almost snatched another point for his team when he diverted a Pedro shot onto the post deep into injury time, but there was no way back for Guardiola's side, who suffered their first defeat of the season and are now six points behind Real Madrid just two weeks ahead of the clasico, which is now surely a must-win affair.
"They played very well in defence and we failed to break through," said Guardiola, whose team host Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday to make room in the calendar for the upcoming Club World Cup.
"Until the end we created chances, so I have nothing to reproach my team. Within three days we have to try again."