Barça is still celebrating. After the thrashing against Real Madrid and the first title, a thrashing against Betis to already be in the quarterfinals of Copa del Rey. The 1-5 against Betis is a poor reward for what Barça deserved.
Five goals, two disallowed by a hair's breadth, and chances, many chances. Barça could've ended the match with a dozen goals in the bag.
The Newcomers in the Line-up Seized the Opportunity
However, VAR was there and Barça was put in disadvantage. Two goals were disallowed and there was a penalty against them that allowed Betis to score the consolation goal.
Flick made many changes in his line-up. Without Íñigo Martínez, Balde, Casadó, or Lewandowski. A different version of Barça, but the same hunger for glory, the same commitment, and the same intensity in the game.
The ones who appeared as starters seized the opportunity. Araújo was carried off on shoulders, Frenkie De Jong won over the crowd. Gerard Martín left a good impression and Olmo left his past fears behind.
Barça toyed with Betis from the start, taking the ball away and then enjoying it.
Lamine Yamal displayed pure art in his actions; Pedri built the entire play from the back. Gavi opened the scoring and took charge of pressing. Raphinha didn't lower his usual pace and Koundé is revealing himself as that excellent full-back he never wanted to be.
Barça Devoured Betis
In this environment, Frenkie De Jong had it easy to return. Flick's team devoured Betis from start to finish and is already in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. Straight through the front door.
The best part isn't the result, but how the result was achieved. After all, Barça played similarly to how they did against Atlético de Madrid.
20 goal opportunities and only one materialized. The difference is that today five went in, but the play was the same.
Flick has put this team on the right track and now it's just a matter of ensuring it doesn't derail.
Technical sheet
FC Barcelona, 5 - Betis, 1
FC BARCELONA: Peña; Koundé, Cubarsí, Araújo (Eric, 64'), Gerard Martín; Gavi (Pau Víctor, 72'), Frenkie de Jong, Pedri (Fermín, 72'); Lamine Yamal (Pablo Torre, 77'), Olmo, Raphinha (Ferran, 64')
REAL BETIS: Fran Vieites; Ruibal (Sabaly, 21') Bartra (Llorente, 46'), Natan, Perraud; Johnny, Altimira (Flores, 46'); Jesús Rodríguez, Isco (Losado, 64'), Juanmi (Fornals, 64'); Vitor Roque
GOALS: 1-0, Gavi, 3'; 2-0, Koundé, 27'; 3-0, Raphinha, 59'; 4-0, Ferran, 67'; 5-0, Lamine Yamal, 75'; 5-1, Vitor Roque, pen. 84'
REFEREE: José María Sánchez Martínez, Andalusian Committee. Cards to Bartra (42'), Raphinha (51'), Gavi (63'), Flores (86')
STADIUM: Olímpic Lluís Companys de Montjuïc. 46,019 spectators