If Barcelona’s plan was to follow up the win against Mallorca with a second successive positive result and maintain the momentum, it is safe to say that they failed in their objective.
The Catalans, last night, only managed a draw against Real Betis and thus slumped to another result where they dropped points painfully.
Robert Lewandowski gave the team the lead early on before Betis equalised from the penalty spot after an unnecessary foul from Frenkie de Jong.
Ferran Torres’ potential late winner appeared to be enough to give Barcelona three points but the team crumbled under the pressure and conceded an extra-time equaliser to let Real Betis walk away with a point.
Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Real Betis 2-2 Barcelona.
A point courtesy Inaki Pena
Barcelona were minutes away from taking all three points at Benito Villamarin and only a stoppage-time equaliser saw them split the spoils. That, however, does not go to say that they deserved the win in any capacity.
Barcelona were indeed in the lead for the better part of the game and did not trail at any point, but it was Real Betis who dominated the game through and through.
They created the better chances, amped up pressure on the Catalan defence periodically and attacked with intent, something that was missing in Hansi Flick’s side.
If Los Verdiblancos did not go into the lead at any point on the night, the credit goes to Inaki Pena as the youngster stepped up and kept the threat at bay time and time again.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side had a golden chance in the opening minutes of the game that the Spanish shot-stopper heroically saved. In the second half, he was called into action more regularly and had to make multiple saves to deny the hosts.
Pena may have racked up just three saves on the night, but they were all massive ones that kept his team in the game. If not for him, the scoreline would have been more embarrassing and Barcelona may even have not had one point to show.
Looking for shortcuts
At the beginning of the season, Barcelona’s attack appeared free-flowing with chances being created from both flanks and through the middle.
That, however, has changed in recent games and is no longer the case in Catalonia.
The Blaugrana once again appeared relatively flustered and impatient in the buildup last night, opting for the most risky pass instead of the best available option and it often led to possession being lost.
Barcelona are visibly hurried in their buildup, not taking the time required to surgically deconstruct defences as they did earlier in the season and it could be the pressure or the fatigue taking.
Further, the team is on a constant decline in terms of chances created through the middle with players only looking for the long ball and the counterattack.
The Catalans’ buildup play last night was almost entirely on the two flanks with nothing coming through the middle. Unlike before, the centre-backs are no longer finding their men with long balls while the midfielders do not appear as effective in attack.
Flick has serious problems to solve if Barcelona are to return to their best, for the team requires multiple attacking threats and cannot continually depend on Lamine Yamal. Further, looking for shortcuts in long passes is simply not the way to go.
From leaders to contenders
From being clear and sole leaders, Barcelona have slipped repeatedly in La Liga and the latest draw means they have just one win in their last five games in the competition.
At one point, they were the clear favourites to run away with the title but it did not take long for the time to come when fans doubted if they could even remain at the top.
It is simply unforgivable for Barcelona to take five in 15 points and the resultant collapse has allowed Real Madrid within two points of them with a game in hand. Needless to say, Barcelona have thrown away their advantage cheaply.
What’s more, is that Atletico Madrid are currently just six points behind Barcelona with two games in hand. If they win their games, they will also equal Barcelona in the standings and it is astounding how the team’s lead has come down to this.
The credit Hansi Flick was given for turning around Barcelona’s situation was indeed deserved, but it now appears that he has been figured out and is struggling to adapt to La Liga’s rapid adaptation.
If the manager does not act quickly, La Liga could be out of sight in no time.
