Coach Hansi Flick of Barcelona was shown a red card during a contentious match against Real Betis, which ended in a 2-2 draw in La Liga on Saturday. The incident that led to Flick’s expulsion occurred after he protested a penalty awarded to Betis following a video review. The penalty was given when Betis forward Vitor Roque fell in the penalty area after a minor contact with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
Giovani Lo Celso successfully converted the penalty in the 66th minute, equalizing the score after Robert Lewandowski had initially put Barcelona ahead in the 38th minute. In the 82nd minute, Ferran Torres regained the lead for Barcelona with a goal assisted by Lamine Yamal. However, a late equalizer from Assane Diao in injury time meant that the points were shared.
This match marks a struggling period for Barcelona, as they have now dropped points in four of their last five matches. Despite the setback, they remain five points clear at the top of the league standings, with Real Madrid trailing them but having two games in hand.
This match highlights the intense competition in La Liga and the challenges teams face. While Barcelona may be having a tough patch, their position at the top of the league shows that there are still opportunities to consolidate their lead. A positive perspective is that through these challenges, the team may strengthen their resolve and performance as the season progresses, aiming for a successful turnaround.