FC Barcelona faced Real Betis in La Liga a couple of days ago in a crucial match. Unfortunately for the Catalan club, they failed to hold on to their lead despite going ahead twice during the game. It must have been a frustrating outcome for Hansi Flick.
The first half was relatively balanced, with both sides creating opportunities. However, Barcelona managed to finish the half stronger and took the lead at 1-0, leaving many to assume they would build on that momentum in the second 45 minutes.
Barcelona’s second-half performance lacked energy and cohesion, even after Flick introduced substitutions to inject fresh legs into the squad. The changes failed to spark the desired impact, and it was only the brilliance of 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal and the heroics of goalkeeper Iñaki Peña that saved the Blaugrana from a potential defeat.
One of the pivotal moments in the match came when Frenkie de Jong made a costly error. While tracking back to stop Real Betis forward Vitor Roque on a counterattack, the Dutch midfielder accidentally stepped on the Brazilian’s foot, leading directly to a Betis equalizer.
Now, as per SPORT, de Jong was deeply affected by his mistake, which ultimately proved decisive. The 27-year-old, who has struggled to regain his best form since returning from a long-term injury, appeared emotionally distraught following the game.
This misstep was particularly disheartening, as de Jong had delivered an impressive performance earlier in the week against Mallorca, where he scored and assisted after being deployed in a more advanced role. Many believed it marked a turning point for the €60m-rated midfielder, but the setback against Betis leaves him once again at a crossroads.
Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, he has lost the Barcelona fans which means that his road back up is even more difficult than someone like Gavi. However, Frenkie still has so much ability and potential and it is frustrating to see his inconsistency.
Fans, however, must consider cutting him some slack. Recovering from a long-term injury is never easy, and De Jong needs encouragement more than criticism at this point. Let’s hope the Dutchman regains his confidence and returns to his best level sooner rather than later.
