We have often been accustomed to Betis Seville – FC Barcelona spectacular and rich in goals in recent seasons, and this afternoon was no exception to the rule (2-2), even if we had to wait for a good time before witnessing the promised big bang. If we thought Barça would win, after leading twice, the Catalans were in fact overwhelmed in the final moments of the match. The start of the match for the two teams was initially intended to be intense, rhythmic and lively, so to speak. For example, it took less than 120 seconds to witness the first hot situation of the match, when Raphinha, returning to defend from a corner, saved a header from Llorente on his line (2nd).
In the process, the ex-Barcelonese, Abde, redacted a golden action after appearing alone against Iñaki Peña (3rd). Except that opposite, Barça was also a victim of its inefficiency. Koundé came up against Vieites (6th), like Lamine Yamal (8th), who then missed the target on a delicious cross from Raphinha (16th). But Betis knew full well that the threat could arrive from either side, and it ultimately came from a relay between Lamine Yamal, Pedri, author of a clever delivery for Koundé, and Lewandowski, scorer on a perfect cross from the Frenchman (39th ). With already 16 goals in 16 days, it’s hard not to imagine the Pole breaking his record for goals in a La Liga season (23 in his first season).
Barça punished for its laxity
Returning from the locker room, Betis came back refreshed, but were not really paid according to their production. Found perfectly by Lo Celso, Altimira saw his head escape the target for a matter of centimeters (51st), like Abde on a cross from Perraud (52nd). Always alert, Peña disgusted Avila by releasing a sublime headline, one of the saves of the season (56th). The Andalusians finally had to rely on a penalty caused by Vitor Roque against his other club, after a foul by de Jong in the area. Lo Celso equalized (68th), while Flick was sent off for one word too many.
This did not prevent the German from being rewarded for his coaching with Ferran Torres. Returning from injury last week, the Spaniard wasted a first opportunity by stealing the ball from the feet of Lamine Yamal before crossing his shot too far (77th), but redeemed himself a few minutes later. On a brilliant inspiration from Yamal, the former Valencia player made a call, before adjusting the Sevillian goalkeeper with a flat foot (82nd, 2-1). But that was not the highlight of the show… Barcelona was finally punished for its laxity and its stop-and-go play in the final moments of the match when Diao equalized with a flat foot, after a perfect cross from Ruibal (90 +4th, 2-2), to deliver Benito-Villamarín. In the standings, the Catalans remain leaders with 5 points ahead of Real, who have two matches in hand. Betis is 11th.
