Barcelona made an enormous assertion midweek with a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid, retaining the pole place on the league standings and consolidating themselves as one of many favourites within the title race.
On Saturday, they’ll face off towards Actual Betis on the Estadio la Cartuja as a part of Matchday 15 as they give the impression of being to take one other huge step in direction of widening their lead on the prime.
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The final time Barcelona performed away towards Actual Betis, the sport was on the Benito Villamarin, which is now underneath renovation. On the night time, nonetheless, the Catalans conceded a 94th-minute equaliser to drop two factors in a irritating sport.
With Actual Betis nonetheless considered one of Spain’s most in-form groups and at present undefeated in eight video games throughout all competitions, Barcelona can have an enormous problem tomorrow.
Barça Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Actual Betis vs Barcelona.
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Driving on momentum
It has not been mentioned too typically this season that Barcelona are driving on momentum, for many of their performances within the marketing campaign have seen them both take dwelling scrappy wins or trip on particular person brilliance.
The staff’s win over Atletico Madrid, nonetheless, marked their first correct dominant displaying in current weeks as they fully dictated the phrases of play towards Los Rojiblancos.
It additionally marked their first massive sport win of the season after defeats to Chelsea, PSG, and Actual Madrid, and the Blaugrana will look to trip that momentum as they enter tomorrow’s sport.
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excelled throughout the park towards Atletico Madrid with the defence doing decently effectively, the midfield dominating after lengthy, and the assault lastly being on music after lengthy this season.
As they tackle one other difficult rival in Actual Betis, the purpose for Barcelona might be to retain the identical type and high quality that they confirmed midweek.
Fermin and Olmo swap up
Fermin Lopez is again. (Picture by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Photos)
Dani Olmo scored the purpose that handed Barcelona the lead towards the Colchoneros midweek, however by no means rose to rejoice. Within the strategy of scoring the purpose, in any case, he fell to the bottom and landed awkwardly to dislocate his shoulder.
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His remaining involvement, thus, was the staff’s purpose, and he instantly left the sphere of play and is not anticipated to characteristic this 12 months. Evidently, that comes as an enormous blow for Flick and the participant, particularly on condition that he was simply discovering his finest type as soon as extra.
Whereas Olmo might be unavailable for tomorrow’s conflict towards Actual Betis, Flick has a concurrent increase that would not have come at a greater time – the return of Fermin Lopez.
Stepping in as a like-for-like alternative, the Spaniard will come off the bench to tackle Olmo’s position towards Los Verdiblancos and can thus assist fill the void left by his compatriot’s harm.
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At this level within the season, it considerably seems that Olmo and Fermin are taking turns being injured, for one’s return seemingly coincides with the opposite’s setback. Evidently, Flick might be delighted to have Fermin again for tomorrow’s conflict.
Time for measured rotations
Barcelona’s harm scenario has not permitted Flick to rotate gamers to his expectations this season, however now that many of the squad is at his disposal, the supervisor should look to shuffle his playing cards to the correct capability.
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If one factor has grow to be clear this season, it’s that gamers are extra fragile than within the earlier marketing campaign, and adequately balancing their minutes turns into a should.
With the staff’s scenario within the UEFA Champions League removed from beneficial and an enormous dwelling sport towards Eintracht Frankfurt arising midweek, Flick ought to look at hand some key gamers relaxation.
Robert Lewandowski, for starters, may effectively begin on the bench with Ferran Torres taking up as the first striker. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are anticipated to start out, however it’s best for all events if each are rested for no less than half an hour.
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In midfield, Pedri will virtually be compelled to start out on condition that Frenkie de Jong is unlikely to be match to play from the get-go. The supervisor, nonetheless, ought to look at hand the Canary Islander some relaxation within the second half when the Dutchman can return to fill in.
Evidently, not a lot is anticipated to vary from a defensive standpoint, particularly given how the division has solely begun to point out some indicators of promise in current video games.