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Real Betis logo
La Liga | Gameweek 21
Jan 21, 2024 at 5.30pm UK
Estadio Benito Villamarin
Barcelona logo

Betis
2 - 4
Barcelona

Isco (56', 59')
Vinicius (72')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Torres (21', 48', 90+2'), Felix (90')
de Jong (57'), Roque (90+6')

Barcelona missing seven players for Real Betis contest

Barcelona missing seven players for Real Betis contest
© Reuters
Barcelona will be missing seven players for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Betis, with Andreas Christensen the latest to pick up an issue.

Barcelona are without the services of seven first-team players for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Betis.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Inigo Martinez, Joao Cancelo and Raphinha are all unavailable for selection in Seville due to injury problems.

Meanwhile, Andreas Christensen is also absent due to the muscular problem which he picked up in the team's 3-1 success over Unionistas in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

The squad has received a double boost from the cup fixture, though, with Ronald Araujo and Lamine Yamal available again after missing out against Unionistas through suspension.

Hector Fort and Pau Cubarsi could both be in line for minutes due to the defensive absentees, although it seems more likely that Sergi Roberto will line up on the right of the back four.

Barcelona midfielder Gavi on September 19, 2023© Reuters

Barcelona have not been in La Liga action since recording a 2-1 win over Las Palmas on January 4, and they are currently fourth in the table, eight points behind the leaders Girona.

"Tomorrow we have a tough match. They haven't lost at home. We're starting the second half of the season with all our enthusiasm, knowing that we're behind Girona and Madrid, but we'll be able to come back from behind," Barcelona boss Xavi told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"It's the best scenario to see a good Barca and win, based on good play... defensively we are very good, we are also very good at pressing high. We win balls back and we are excellent in strategy.

"I'm talking about the last pass, to choose well, but we have very young players. I despair because I see the pass, which was my quality, but it's a matter of time. It was not a criticism. It's a feeling of desperation from me. The youngsters have to keep trying."

Barcelona coach Xavi before the match on December 10, 2023© Reuters

Xavi also remains confident that his side can win three trophies this season, with the Catalan team aiming for success in La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

"We're optimistic that we can make up the six or seven points that we're behind. We are starting the second half of the season with maximum enthusiasm," he added.

"Yes, I firmly believe that (team can win three trophies). You can't be sure of winning. There are many clubs that haven't won for many years. We have done it with the majority of last year's squad."

Xavi also revealed that Cancelo was close to being involved against Real Betis, with the Portuguese potentially making his return in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao next week.

Barcelona squad vs. Real Betis:

Pena, Astralaga, Kochen; Balde, Araujo, Kounde, Cubarsi, Fort; Pedri, Romeu, Roberto, De Jong, Gundogan, F Lopez; F Torres, Lewandowski, Felix, Roque, Yamal, Guiu

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Real Betis
25.0%
Draw
19.3%
Barcelona
55.7%
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Barcelona's Lamine Yamal on November 25, 2023
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
3Real Madrid1283125111427
4Villarreal127322319424
5GironaGirona146352018221
6Mallorca146351312121
7Osasuna136341720-321
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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