Real Betis vs Barcelona Preview
Hansi Flick has demanded a repeat of his Barcelona players’ performance when they face Real Betis after coming from behind to defeat Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Alex Baena gave Atletico the lead at the Camp Nou, but goals from Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres secured the points for Barca, who are one point ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga title race.
Barca, however, have won just two of their last six away matches and face a Betis side who have not lost a game since their October defeat to Atletico.
The hosts sit fifth in the table, seven points off the top four, and have the second-best defensive record in La Liga with just 14 goals conceded.
And Flick knows Barca cannot afford to let their standards drop at Benito Villamarin.
“Betis have a fantastic team with high quality players,” Flick told a press conference on Friday.
“We have to do the same thing as against Atletico. It was a great victory and it gives us more confidence, but we have to show it again tomorrow.
“We took a step forward and showed that when we are well connected and play as a team, everything works.”
Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini this week signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2027.
His team is aiming for a first victory against Barça since 2021, when their winger Abde Ezzalzouli played for the Blaugrana.
“It will be a very difficult match. Barcelona are in good form. But we are also playing at home and the three points would be important,” Pellegrini said.
“We have to play a very complete game. Barcelona are constantly attacking, so we can’t make defensive mistakes because they have a lot of technical quality. With good offensive transitions we can hurt them.”
Betis vs Barcelona team news
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to return from the illness which kept him out of the win over Atletico.
Fermin Lopez is back in training following his recent muscle problem, but Dani Olmo (shoulder) is out after being forced off with an injury suffered while scoring in midweek.
Gavi (knee) is out for a long time, while Ronald Araujo has been allowed to take a mental health break by the club.
