Real Betis vs. FC Barcelona - Jan 21, 2018 - Match Review

Real Betis vs. FC Barcelona - Jan 21, 2018 - Match Review

It was one of the best La Liga games of this season. Almost all the league matches of Barcelona are being played at 1.15 am IST (Monday), which is quite unfavorable for people who have to go to work on Monday mornings. But with such magic on display - it was worth all the waking up.

Real Betis at home are always tough to beat, with a vociferous home crowd who play a huge role in the outcomes. Barcelona traditionally have found it difficult playing at the Estadio Benito Villamarín - but they have not lost to Betis for many years now.

Betis forwards attacked from the word go while the back-line successfully trapped the Barca forwards into offside positions. A lenient referee also let quite a number of fouls go unpunished as Betis hacked down a number of Barcelona players without any fear. Betis despite breaking forward several times, just did not have the finishing to match their aggression. Barca defended deep. Both the teams were deadlocked as 0–0 at the end of the first half. Guardado was proving to be a nuisance for Messi who was quiet mostly.

The 2nd half started in similar fashion. But Barcelona started to get a foothold in the game. The alert Betis defence blinked for a second and Barcelona pounced. Suarez managed to free up Rakitic with a magnificent through pass and the cool Croat (with a new look) raced up and slotted it in, without any fuss. Barca were up 1–0.

Betis blinked again in a few minutes! The ball was won by a determined Busquets from Fabian Ruiz (who had a great game till then) in a dangerous area and he passed it to Messi who found himself all alone up front with just goalkeeper Adan to beat. The best finisher in the world did not miss a beat. It was 2–0 in Barca’s favour.

Messi was becoming more and more difficult to control. He was weaving his way up the Betis defense at will and during one such run found Rakitic on the right, who in turn gave a perfect, looping pass to Suarez. The lurking Uruguayan scored with a superb volley to make it 3–0. Betis were totally shattered by then but brought in more attackers as substitutes.

Messi completed an amazing 12 dribbles in this game and was running rampant. Once again Suarez’s pass found the little genius who left a couple of Betis defenders for dead to score the 4th goal. Finally Messi after an amazing run, teed off Suarez who finished it with aplomb, to make it an emphatic 5–0 win for the League leaders.

A measured, complete performance with ever player contributing from every position which ended in a well deserved win for FC Barcelona.

It was heartening to see a fit Umiti making a good comeback, But it was heartbreaking to see the wonderful Vermaelen hobbling off with a hanstring injury. Pray its not too serious.

The lightning quick Semedo’s last ditched effort saved a certain goal. Pique and Ter Stegen were solid as usual despite some tense moments in the first half. Sergi Roberto shined in the midfield and the flank. Jordi Alba, was forced to defend mostly but did it very well. Busquets and Rakitic gave the team the solidity in the middle. Messi and Suarez were hunting in pairs and actually having fun. Andre Gomes … Hmmmm - not bad, but I am yet to be convinced.

The incredible Messi has now netted 25 goals for 10 consecutive seasons while Suarez through his brace completed 100 goals for FC Barcelona

The best moment of the game was when Messi tracked back into his own half and worked a bit of magic among the Betis forwards, to take the ball away, which was applauded even by the partisan home crowd. He is simply the Best and its a privilege to behold this little guy at work.

Would prefer the FC Barcelona La Liga matches to be on Saturday nights or Sunday early mornings - as it would allow more fans to watch these wonderful not-to-be-missed games.