Barcelona, Spain – In an intense La Liga match on Saturday, Coach Hansi Flick was dismissed for protesting a controversial penalty call, resulting in a 2-2 draw for Barcelona against Real Betis. The incident stirred tensions as Flick objected to the referee’s decision to award a penalty after reviewing footage of a collision between Betis forward Vitor Roque and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barcelona with his 16th league goal in the 38th minute. However, the hosts equalized in the 66th minute when Giovani Lo Celso converted the penalty. Barcelona briefly regained the lead in the 82nd minute through substitute Ferran Torres, who scored after an impressive assist from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. Yet, the match ended in disappointment for the visitors as Assane Diao netted a late equalizer for Betis in injury time.
This draw has exacerbated concerns over Barcelona’s recent form, as the team has dropped points in four of their last five matches. The club currently holds a five-point advantage over Real Madrid, who have two games in hand. Flick expressed surprise at his expulsion, emphasizing he hadn’t directed his comments toward anyone specific.
Despite a strong start to the season, Barcelona appears to be experiencing its first significant setback under Flick, having previously enjoyed a seven-match winning streak that included dominant performances against notable rivals. The recent performance at Betis raised alarms, particularly regarding the team’s defensive lapses and reliance on key players.
Flick acknowledged that the players struggled and acknowledged the need to improve their passing approach, emphasizing the importance of maintaining pace in their game. The coach defended his decision to substitute key players like Lewandowski and Raphinha, indicating that it was a strategic choice to manage their fitness ahead of an upcoming Champions League fixture against Borussia Dortmund.
Notably, Isco Alarcon made his return to the pitch for Betis, stepping in as a substitute after recovering from a fibula injury he sustained in May, marking a positive comeback for the team.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will aim to refocus and reclaim their dominant form in their upcoming matches, while the resilience shown against Betis, particularly from emerging talents like Yamal, offers a hopeful perspective amidst the team’s current struggles.
With the talent and depth of the squad, there remains potential for a quick turnaround as they work to regain their unbeatable momentum.