There is nothing better when you are in an ascending phase and in which you have to show that you have come out of the hole that you have as a rival coach of Manuel Pellegrini. This is the best guarantee of victory. Even if Betis had the best afternoon in their history … life could survive the misfortune that the Chilean brings with him. Facing Pellegrini is like facing Valverde: never despair, wait until the end and you will always win. Flick therefore arrived in Seville with destiny on his side and without Raphinha as starter, the catalyst who in recent days has reminded his teammates that if they want to win something, they will have to fight. Half point laminate, it is said to be in the best performing position, rather than open to the right. Antoine’s Koranic prayers before starting the game.
-
Bétis:
A. Vallès; Ruibal, Bartra (Llorente, min. 60), Natan (Junior Firpo, min. 60) (Ricardo Rodríguez, min. 88), Valentín Gómez; Altimira (Deossa, min. 46), Marc Roca; Antoine (Pablo, min. 75), Fornals, Ez Abde; Cucho. -
Barcelona:
Jeanne Garcia; Koundé, Cubarsí, Gérard (De Jong, min. 63), Balde (Christensen, min. 46); Eric García (Jofre, min 80), Pedri (Marc Bernal, min 63); Lamine Yamal, Roony Bardhji (Fermín, min. 67), Rashford; Ferran. -
Goals:
1-0, min 6: Antoine. 1-1, minutes. 11: Ferran. 1-2 minutes. 13: Ferran. 1-3, min. 31: Roony Bardhji. 1-4, min. 40: Ferran. 1-5 minutes. 59: Lamine Yamal (p.). 2-5 minutes. 85: Llorente. 3-5 minutes. 90: Cucho (p.). -
Arbitrator:
Hernández Maeso (College of Extremadura). He warned Altimira (min. 21), Gerard (min. 47), Deossa (min. 59) and Ruibal (min. 67), Valentín Gómez (min. 87), Pellegrini (88) and Koundé (min. 89).
Barça’s defenders have not improved but Joan García is so attentive and well placed that opponents can generate much less. Destroy opportunities before they become opportunities. A simple statistics of stops would not be fair to measure its contribution, as much of its merit lies in avoiding the situation in which stopping is necessary. Betis’ first goal, scored by Antony in the sixth minute, showed that Barça’s defenders have not really improved and that Joan García is very good but cannot perform miracles.
Despite the momentary advantage, the Pellegrini effect immediately worked and Barça equalized, Ferran, thanks to a good assist from Koundé; And in the next game, after a magnificent transition of combinations until the first touch, Ferran materialized again, a brilliant finish from the Valencian.
Barça’s defense continued to make things easier, very bad Cubarsí. Although many find it funny because he is from La Masía and has this rural appearance, this boy is clearly not capable of being a starter in a team supposed to aspire to win the Champions League. Very good Gérard Martín, who gives meaning in his progression to the privileged treatment that Flick has always given him. Pedri, sensational with every touch, even if the game did not end in a goal. Lamine Yamal, unpublished: it’s a scandal. Roony Bardghji at the half-hour mark, skillfully assisted by Pedri, scored the third with a very good shot.
Barca sank in attack, suffered in defense, their star wandered like a ghost, and there’s nothing like facing Pellegrini for luck to be on your side. The qualities of Flick’s team once again outweighed its faults. It’s because the team has reacted since the lesson in London, and at least the good things stand out better, but also because a rival like Betis punishes imperfections less: the Andalusians (especially Natan) are very contemplative with Barça’s attack. Ferran’s hat-trick in the 39th minute, a little bounced but well sought after. We are very grateful to this boy who is one of the rare First Division footballers who does not have his hair cut like a thug: he even looks like a Sarriá. Betis did not give up and continued to have their finishes courtesy of a sinking Barça defense that in Europe has much to cry about. After the break, Christensen replaced the injured Bucket.
Betis did not give up but neither did Joan García, superb. Even with 1 to 5, he opted for a ball that you only notice and reach if you are very concentrated. The fifth, moreover, was scored by Lamine with a penalty after missing a very clear opportunity, clearly demonstrating that this boy’s demonstration is not good. De Jong, Marc Bernal and Fermín replaced Roony, Pedri and Gerard Martín. Betis tried by all means (Llorente scored the second in the 84th and Cucho the third in the 89th, from the penalty spot) and there is nothing to reproach their players, but they do not have enough quality to finish hurting Barça despite their many defensive flaws. Destroying inferior teams is a good first step in the right direction, but not enough. Flick’s defense continues to be a drain. Rashford made an error before injury time, which in a Champions League tie usually makes the difference.