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19 hours ago
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Barcelona were given a golden chance to go six points clear of Real Madrid ahead of their game against Real Betis last night after Los Blancos dropped three points against Valencia at home.
It was, however, anything but easy for Hansi Flick’s men to capitalise on that slip-up given how confident and in-form Betis were even against the seemingly invincible Catalan side.
Flick’s men took the lead on the night through Gavi in just the seventh minute, but the visitors jumped right back in with an equaliser ten minutes later.
Both sides then engaged in a fascinating deadlock for over an hour during which period it became clear that Barcelona were the side pushing harder. Eventually, however, the game did boil down to a draw.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Barcelona 1-1 Real Betis.
Wojciech Szczesny: 6.5
There is a case that Szczesny could have done better to deny Real Betis their equaliser at Montjuic, but it is always tricky from a set piece for the goalkeeper had barely any time to react to the header.
Did not have much to contribute apart from that one occasion where he was challenged.
Alejandro Balde: 6.5
The full-back was not quite at his best last night and often found himself having to cover ground and track back defensively against Giovanni Lo Celso and Antony.
Offensively didn’t hit the same level he has shown in recent weeks, especially with no bonafide left winger starting on the night.
Pau Cubarsi: 7
Cubarsi was the head of the Catalan’s defence against Los Verdiblancos with Inigo Martinez ruled out and thus took charge of overseeing the offside trap and holding the line.
Took up the brunt of the responsibility of playing out from the back and was crucial in the team’s buildup from the back.
Ronald Araujo: 7
Araujo started in place of Inigo Martinez. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
After a match-defining defensive performance against Atletico Madrid, Araujo was awarded a start for Barcelona last night given Inigo Martinez’s injury.
Did well to keep the visitors at bay and showed significant confidence and accuracy with his passing range indicating a serious in an area seen as his potential weakness.
Jules Kounde: 7.5
The French full-back was once again a dominant figure on his flank both as a defensive presence and an offensive outlet and did well to combine with Lamine Yamal.
Was particularly impressive after the break as he had a glorious chance to score and even got into attacking positions to put in lethal crosses.
Pedri: 8
Pedri, at this point in the season, simply cannot put up a poor performance and was again dominant on the ball and the dictator-in-chief of Barcelona’s play.
He was, however, rather exhausted to some capacity and his performance left one thinking how long Barcelona can go without handing him a deserved break.
His quality may not have dropped, but his legs did appear weary.
Frenkie de Jong: 8
The Dutchman started on the night and played a crucial role in the opening hour until he was replaced by Eric Garcia.
Was reliable on the ball, took largely the right decisions and balanced both the roles of a creative outlet and a defensive barrier to great effect simultaneously.
Gavi: 8.5
The goalscorer on the night. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The La Masia star suffered an injury scare in the team’s last game but came back strong against Real Betis, often looking like Barcelona’s most threatening player with his presence off the ball.
Made a perfectly timed run to find himself open in space and accurately put the ball into the back of the net to score Barcelona’s first goal on the night with a well-worked finish.
Lamine Yamal: 8
Yamal once again got no rest against Manuel Pellegrini’s side as he started Barcelona at Montjuic.
As usual, he was a serious threat down the right flank and at the heart of all of Barcelona’s attacks.
Ferran Torres: 7.5
The shark racked up another assist against. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
A relatively rare start for the Spanish winger who began the game operating on the wing as opposed to the central role he played earlier this week.
Torres was key with his movements and unlocked spaces for Barcelona to attack, eventually even registering the assist for Gavi’s goal with the perfectly weighted assist.
Robert Lewandowski: 6
The Polish striker started against Los Verdiblancos and barely created any serious threat in the final third as he struggled to get into threatening positions.
Completed just nine passes in the open 45 minutes and was largely disconnected from the proceedings and buildup phase.
