FC Barcelona put their reputation on the line this Saturday against Real Betis in Montjuic in a crucial game for the azulgranas. The defeat of Real Madrid against Valencia by 1-2 meant that Hansi Flick‘s team were obliged to take all three points at home if they wanted to extend the gap between them and Ancelotti’s team to six points and very probably to win the goal difference. In the end, and with a great Real Betis, they could only finish the game with a draw at 1-1. Gavira scored the first goal and Natan scored the equalizer for Betis.
The Catalans, moreover, came into the game against Pellegrini’s side boosted by their passage to the final of the Copa del Rey with a victory against Atlético Madrid. With a league goal tally of 82, an average of 2.82 per game, they hosted the Green and Whites, who had six consecutive victories in the championship and were already sixth in the table.
However, Hansi Flick also had an eleven of guarantees to take the victory against a Real Betis he did not trust despite the 5-1 in the Copa del Rey. So, and despite the match against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, the German does not want to think about anything other than victory, especially to gain that extra confidence in order to win the league title.
Real Betis, for their part, went into the game hoping to rescue at least a point from Montjuic to stay in the fight for a Champions League place alongside Athletic and Villarreal. However, the Chilean was unable to field Catalan Marc Roca in Barcelona due to a trauma to his right foot. Nor was there the magic of Isco in Montjuic, as he was sanctioned with a fifth yellow card in last weekend’s Seville derby.
FC Barcelona started the game allowing Natan to equalize
To start the game, and unlike what we saw in games like the one against Girona, FC Barcelona began the match somewhat slowed down by the presence of a Betis side that from the very first moment of the game went out looking for their best opportunity. However, it was the culés from the feet of Gavi who took the lead on the scoreboard, scoring the first goal in the 7th minute.
However, their game was not so easy to get on track and a few minutes later it was Natal who found a way to hurt Szcesny with a masterful header.
From that moment on, the team looked out of sorts, probably due to the lack of rest after their last few matches. The player who suffered most from this fatigue was Ronald Araújo, who was quite limping throughout the first half. In fact, Betis’ goal came after a bad collision between the Uruguayan and his opponent, who got away from him.
In this sense, throughout the first half we also saw a splendid Antony. He tried to get away from Pau Cubarsí on two occasions. The Brazilian, surrounded by up to three opponents, managed to get rid of the Betis player, but Pellegrini’s pupil managed to scare the FC Barcelona goal several times. The Andalusians were more than happy with how the game was going at this stage. In a hard-fought encounter, both teams had chances to score.
A lack of effectiveness prevented FC Barcelona from taking the victory against Betis
What we have seen in these first minutes is also a Lamine Yamal who has taken the team on his shoulders. The Spanish international has tried to shoot diagonally and break inside to combine with the central corridor, amply represented by Ferran Torres’s runs, Lewandowski’s play with his back to goal and Gavi’s forays into space.
As such, we are seeing a very competitive and evenly matched game. Real Betis have also intensified their position on the pitch, taking a step forward. And, what has even been seen in the first 45 minutes is that FC Barcelona lacked a certain lucidity and fluidity. We saw it as soon as the match started, as Real Betis and Antony came out really switched on.
From there on, the match continued along the same lines as the whole game: counter-attacks from both sides, but with many more opportunities for Raphinha, who was very involved throughout the night.
The minutes passed, and FC Barcelona were feeling more and more comfortable. But the tie-breaker goal did not come. On the other side, Pellegrini’s Betis were doing their job very well: putting pressure but not leaving a gap for the rival attack. A Barça attack that left everything on Raphinha, who tried it up to four times, the last of them with a free kick that did not have the desired effect.
After much Barça insistence, Betis tried a counter-attack, but they were unable to get past Szczesny either. With this result, FC Barcelona keeps LaLiga wide open, while for the Green and Whites it is a big step towards their European aspirations. Flick’s team did not take their opportunity to capitalize on Real Madrid’s defeat and are four points ahead.