FC Barcelona got the full three points with a hard-fought victory over Real Betis last night. These three points were essential for Xavi’s team to not give up any more space to Real Madrid and Girona in the race for the league title.
Several players shone in the last match after a horrible defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. Ferran Torres was clearly the main protagonist, as he scored a hat-trick and was the most influential of Barcelona’s players on the pitch.
Similarly, Lamine Yamal also had one of his best matches in a Barcelona shirt, as he tormented the Real Betis defense throughout the game, and kept creating dangerous chances for his team.
Joao Felix, who came on only in the 81st minute, also scored a goal shortly after coming on the pitch to put Barcelona ahead once more after Isco’s equalizing brace.
These, and other, key players will have to sustain this good form in the weeks and months to come to give Barcelona any chance of winning some silverware this season. However, as SPORT has noted, one person who will find it difficult to get many starts after this match is Raphinha.
The Brazilian winger is currently recovering from a hamstring injury to his left leg since the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup against Osasuna. Raphinha had already suffered a similar problem earlier in the season, which kept him on the sidelines for a month.
For now, the Brazilian is expected to return to full fitness in time for the first leg of the Champions League tie against Napoli. However, he will have to wait and work very hard to regain the status of a starter in Xavi’s team.
This adversity will only drive Raphinha to work extra hard and showcase his abilities to Xavi. Barcelona will definitely benefit from such a highly competitive forward line, as every player has to give his best to retain his place in the starting eleven.
