Three talking points from Barcelona 5-1 Real Betis
A huge Copa del Rey win
Feelgood factor flowing for Flick’s boys
Barcelona headed into the Betis game after a brilliant Supercopa final win over Real Madrid at the weekend which brought a first trophy and a whole bundle of warm and fuzzy feelings for the Catalans.
The feelgood factor was there for all to see, starting with a certain Ronald Araujo wearing the captain’s armband and showing off the trophy before kick-off after apparently deciding to stay at Barcelona after all.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 15, 2025
His team then needed just three minutes to open the scoring. Pedri worked his usual magic, Dani Olmo helped out and suddenly there was Gavi with a touch and a finish for 1-0. At that point, you already knew Betis were in for a long night.
The chances continued to flow for Barca. Olmo hit a post, while Lamine Yamal served up a chance on a plate for Raphinha. The Brazilian actually missed for once but the offside flag was there to spare his blushes in any case.
Yet there was always going to be more goals and the second came from the right boot of Jules Kounde. Yamal casually dinked the ball into the Frenchman’s path and he smashed it home for 2-0 just before the half hour.
1 - @Lamineeyamal__ has scored and assisted for the first time in a single game in his career as a professional player (92 matches in total – 75 with @FCBarcelona and 17 with @SEFutbol). Clairvoyance. pic.twitter.com/rkRZhp00k6
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 15, 2025
A third arrived from Raphinha, while Ferran Torres came on to score number four and Yamal finally got the goal he deserved late on. Even Frenkie de Jong was oozing confidence and Betis were grateful to VAR for keeping the score down.
Yamal was simply unstoppable, unplayable and has returned from his ankle injury in scary form. He’s scored in three straight games now - after setting himself the challenge of bagging more goals - and even almost handed Gerard Martin what would have been a sensational team goal in the first half. It was that kind of game.
Gavi becoming undroppable
Gavi also scored again for Barcelona on Wednesday and is quickly becoming undroppable for Hansi Flick. Barcelona’s opening goal came in true Barcelona style. The Catalans started the game on the front foot and had possession for 61 seconds before Gavi stuck the ball in the back of the net.
Everyone except for goalkeeper Inkai Pena and Raphinha touched the ball in the build-up to the goal. In fact the whole move even started by a press from eventual goalscorer Gavi. He now has two goals in his last three games for the midfielder. It even feels safe to say that he really is back to his best after a truly awful knee injury
2 - Gavi has scored two goals in his last three games for @FCBarcelona in all competitions, as many as in his previous 30 appearances for the Blaugranas. Recovery. pic.twitter.com/vC3o2atqBC
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 15, 2025
Gavi showed his respect for Betis with his celebration but also added a kiss of the Barcelona badge to keep everybody happy. The huge ovation when he was taken off with the game won and 20 minutes left to play said it all.
The midfielder then even came up with more classy comments after the game, setting the record straight on Ronald Araujo’s future and getting the answer absolutely spot on when asked if Yamal is the best in the world.
“Yes, he is,” he told reporters. “Well, after Lionel Messi, he’s the best.”
He may not have the armband but Gavi already feels like a Barcelona captain. His return to form has been a relief, a delight and - increasingly - a huge source of optimism for the future.
Olmo impresses as the false nine
Hansi Flick made changes to his team for this game, giving Robert Lewandowski a rest and handing Olmo a start as a false nine. It was a move that worked brilliantly well and left Flick a very happy man after the game.
“Dani Olmo knows how to play as a 9 and has done so before with the Spanish national team,” he told reporters afterwards. “Lewandowski was not an option and the plan worked out well.”
A two-assist game for Dani Olmo! ♂️ pic.twitter.com/fpW83TqruU
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 16, 2025
Olmo seemed to relish the freedom of his role and helped Barca’s midfield simply dominate the game. He may not have scored, although he went close with a shot that hit the woodwork, but will surely be happy with two assists and a fine performance.
Flick was certainly thrilled with how his team played and using Olmo is this way is certainly something we may see more of as the season progresses and the fixture list becomes more congested.
Source: barcablaugranes.com
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