Real Betis v Barcelona preview
Hansi Flick demanded a repeat performance from his Barcelona players when they face Real Betis after coming from behind to see off Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Alex Baena gave Atletico the lead at Camp Nou, but goals from Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres secured the points for Barca, who are a point ahead of Real Madrid in the LaLiga title race.
Barca, though, have won just two of their last six away matches and face a Betis team that has not lost a match since their October defeat to Atletico.
The hosts are in fifth place in the table, seven points outside the top four, and have the second-best defensive record in LaLiga having only conceded 14 goals.
And Flick knows Barca can ill-afford to let their standards slip at the Benito Villamarin.
“Betis have a fantastic team with players of great quality,” Flick told a press conference on Friday.
“We have to do the same as we did against Atletico. It was a great win and it gives us more confidence, but we have to show it again tomorrow.
“We’ve taken a step forward and shown that when we are well connected and play as a team, everything works.”
Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2027 this week.
His side are seeking a first win over Barca since 2021, when their winger Abde Ezzalzouli was playing for the Blaugrana.
“It will be a very difficult match; Barcelona are in good form. But so are we, we’re playing at home, and the three points would be important,” Pellegrini said.
“We have to play a very complete game. Barcelona attack constantly, so we can’t make defensive mistakes because they have a lot of technical quality. With good offensive transitions, we can hurt them.”
Betis v Barcelona team news
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is set to return from the illness that 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 sustained in the act of scoring in midweek.
Gavi (knee) is a long-term absentee, while Ronald Araujo has been permitted to take a mental health break by the club.
