Parallel to subscribing to 1-0, Barcelona has gone from being tied with Real Madrid to being the sole leader and taking five points from them. A streak –he has gone 13 games without losing in all competitions– that can culminate tonight at the Benito Villamarín to end up adding a total of 50 points. It would be the sixth time that the Blaugrana team has reached that figure in the first round of the League.
However, Xavi continues to spin the game and includes it in the problems suffered by other great Europeans. “We would like to win comfortably, and the goal is to get closer to the game we played in the Super Cup final against Madrid, but everything costs a lot. Liverpool have a hard time, Bayern have a hard time winning, Juve is as it is, Inter seemed very strong and look… There is no longer the superiority of before, ”he exemplified.
In fact, Barcelona has already gone through the Bernabeu, the Metropolitan, Mestalla, El Sadar, Pizjuán and Anoeta. So the exit to the Betis field is the last great litmus test. Later, in the second round, they will need to visit Villarreal, San Mamés and Cornellà for the derby.
Not even three weeks ago the two teams met in Riyadh and the semifinal had to be decided on penalties (2-2). Lewandowski and Ansu Fati scored, but Fekir and Loren equalized. “That game helped us a lot. We have to assert ourselves in possession. If not, Betis can submit you ”, warned Xavi.
Barça, who ended up without forwards in Girona, recovers the Pole, author of 22 goals, and Ferran Torres, but has the hard loss of Dembélé, injured for at least a month. The coach asked Raphinha for more daring now that the Frenchman is not here and also launched a spear for Fati. “He has had to play difficult matches, against very defensive rivals and with very strong central defenders. The other day he played a great match, pressing a lot. He is very intense. That's the positive. Things will work out for you. I do not doubt it".
Check the Santander League table.
