A quick preview today, as we look ahead to yet another vital game in La Liga. Tonight at 9pm local time, we face Real Betis. Live from the Spotify Camp Nou. It’s a big game, and we’re going to be looking at making a much improved performance form our last game, where we really didnt turn up for it. The lesser spoken about that, the better i think. We have to move on and keep grinding. Real Betis are always a difficult team to play against, so its not going to be a walk in the park for Barça tonight. But hopefully, against Real Betis Barça can rely on the 12th man pulling the team through.
A quick look at our opponents:
Like I’ve briefly just touched upon, Real Betis are a solid side. And tonight is going to be a if test for us. Coming into the game, they’ve got a few big names missing. Including their talisman, Nabil Fekir. As well as Borja Iglesias and Sabaly. We on the other hand are finally coming into the game with a full squad, which we haven’t been able to say for months. So that’s a big boost. Going back to Betis though, they are sitting comfortably around the top 4. Fighting with Real Sociedad and Villarreal for the last remaining champions league spot. Over the last 5 games, they’ve marked a record of 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses. And over the course of the season so far, they’ve managed to score a total of 39 goals, whilst conceding 33 in the process.
Predicted Lineup:
After what has felt like years, we are finally coming into the squad with a fully fit squad. Christensen and Dembele both received the medical green light early on Friday morning. Which is a huge boost for the team. At a time when we desperately need it. And straight off the bat, I would start Christensen in defence. There have been reports saying that he could start. Whereas for dembele, he would be coming off the bench. But we need Christensen in the defence as soon as possible. Alonso and Eric have filled in for him over the last few games, and they both haven’t worked. Alonso is simply a liability back there, and Eric, although he is better, he hasn’t grown into a dependable centre back. Maybe his future is in a different position. Who knows. But we need Christensen back in there.
In midfield, Busquets will be coming back from his one match suspension. Which means we will be able to play with a double pivot once again. Consisting of Frenkie and Busi. With pedri and Gavi just in front of them. That’s our best setup by far. In attack, again, it pretty much picks itself. Lewandowski broke his goal drought the other night, so hopefully that’ll be the push on he needs to get back in with the goals. We desperately need them. And I’d also start Raphinha alongside him and then bring Dembele on later in the game. Ansu could get a start, and I’d absolutely love to see that. But I think its more likely going to be Raphinha. I wouldn’t start Ferran in the front three. His best position is off the right anyway. And I think we need to finally see the midfield four again, with Gavi as the inverted winger.
My starting 11:
Kounde- Araujo- Christensen- Balde
Pedri- Frenkie- Busquets- Gavi
Lewandowski- Raphinha
