Barcelona took on a tricky opposition in Real Betis on Saturday afternoon at Benito Villamarin and were put to a very tough test.
Hansi Flick deployed his strongest possible XI against the Seville-based side, but the Blaugrana relatively struggled against Real Betis’ compact defence.
Los Verdiblancos started the game well with chances in the opening minutes and Barcelona took close to 10 minutes to stabilise the ship.
Robert Lewandowski eventually put the team ahead with a well-timed finish and Barcelona entered the half-time break 1-0 up.
After the break, however, it was Real Betis who dominated the play and created chance after chance from the first play. They eventually won a penalty after a Frenkie de Jong foul and equalised after the hour mark.
Ferran Torres found the back of the net in the 83rd minute after a brilliant Lamine Yamal assist to put the Blaugrana ahead. However, a stoppage-time goal from the hosts saw the spoils shared.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Real Betis 2-2 Barcelona.
Inaki Pena: 9
The goalkeeper was forced into action early in the game when Ez Abde had a golden chance to put Los Verdiblancos ahead and came up clutch, denying the former Barcelona star. Was relatively unfazed apart from that in the opening period.
Made another massive save early in the second half to deny Chimy Avila, proving why he has the manager’s trust. Conceded from the penalty spot before being eaten in stoppage time again.
Pena could not stop Lo Celso. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Alejandro Balde: 7.5
The left-back was up against difficult opposition on the left flank with Real Betis’ Youssuf Sabaly and Chimy Avila joining forces to keep him at bay in attack.
Yet, he came up with some good combination play in tight spaces and helped retain possession.
Pau Cubarsi: 7.5
The youngster was composed throughout the game although he did face the heat in the opening spells of both halves. Timed his challenges well and was spotless with his distribution.
Inigo Martinez: 8
The veteran did not make any individual errors like his partner but was also under serious pressure in the opening period of the second half when Real Betis turned up the heat in attack.
Jules Kounde: 7
The right-back was again average in defence as he often got overrun by Abde and it was clear that Real Betis prioritised attacking down his flank.
Offensively, however, he combined well with Lamine Yamal and even conjured a perfect cross to register the assist for Robert Lewandowski’s opening goal.
Pedri: 8.5
The Canary Islander was smooth in possession although his distribution was questionable at times with a few mistimed and overhit passes creeping in.
Yet, he controlled the midfield, contributed defensively to immense measure and created the space for Kounde by opening up the Betis for Lewandowski’s opener.
Marc Casado: 8
Rough and relentless, Casado was everywhere on the field at Benito Villamarin and did all the dirty work in the middle of the field.
While his distribution was on point as usual, it was his defensive contributions that stole the limelight against an inspired Real Betis midfield.
Dani Olmo: 6.5
Olmo looked to lurk in the spaces behind Real Betis’ defence and was constantly linking up with Lamine Yamal to unlock the Seville-based side’s defence.
However, he did not quite make the same attacking impact that we have come to associate with his name.
Raphinha: 7.5
The captain’s work rate was off the charts despite him not getting on the ball as much as he would have liked to.
Had a good chance to double the scoring and did well with his volley in the dying minutes of the first half but had it blocked.
The Brazilian also made a stunning clearance off the line to keep the score at 0-0 earlier in the half.
Lamine Yamal: 9
The Spanish protege was the primary attacking outlet for his team, especially with the club prioritising attacking down the right flank.
Constantly looked for the final pass over the top but was not lucky in the opening period.
Was stunning in the second half time and time again as he dissected the Real Betis defence with his sensational passes and eventually bagged the assist for Ferran Torres’ goal.
Robert Lewandowski: 8.5
Scoring run continues. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
The Polish striker opened the scoring for Barcelona with a wonderfully timed run past the defence and a simple tap-in into the goal.
He looked refreshed after a week’s rest and was constantly pitching in by dropping down deep and helping build up the play.
Frenkie de Jong: 5
Came on as a second-half substitution and gave away a penalty with an unnecessary foul that helped Real Betis equalise.
Ferran Torres: 7
Contributed nothing solid despite playing over 30 minutes, was awful in front of goal and with his runs past the defence.
However, scored the team’s second goal with a decent finish and was lucky to stay onside as he made no effort to check his position but a Real Betis defender missed his line.