Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo scored their first Barcelona objectives because the reigning La Liga champions swatted apart Actual Betis on Saturday evening to take high spot earlier than title rivals Actual Madrid play this weekend.
Joao Felix put Barca forward together with his first purpose for the membership earlier than Robert Lewandowski doubled their benefit from Andreas Christensen’s move.
Ferran Torres’ good free kick, a high quality effort for Raphinha and one other debut purpose – this time from Joao Cancelo – within the second half helped the Blaugrana full a complete thrashing of Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
It takes Barca to first in La Liga earlier than Actual Madrid tackle Actual Sociedad on Sunday night.
How the sport unfolded
Barca went into Saturday evening’s conflict seeking to usurp Madrid on the high of La Liga however surrendered the sport’s first massive likelihood to the guests.
Jules Kounde misplaced Isco, who discovered Willian Jose earlier than the ball arrived on the toes of Luiz Henrique. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old Brazilian’s shot from a decent angle simply outdoors the six-yard field flashed previous the underside nook.
A Betis free kick got here near offering the sport’s first purpose quickly after as Ayoze Perez managed the ball and lashed into Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s side-netting.
That first purpose got here halfway by way of the primary half and fell Barca’s means because the Catalan giants pressed properly to win the ball excessive earlier than Oriol Romeu swung a cross into the field in the direction of Joao Felix. The mortgage arrival from Atletico Madrid mis-kicked on the primary try however retained possession to complete neatly from a decent angle.
It was Felix’s first purpose for Barca and helped settle his new aspect down earlier than a well-worked second from Lewandowski additional cemented their grip on the sport.
Andreas Christensen stepped out of defence and fired a move ahead in the direction of Felix, who dummied over the ball to permit it to search out Lewandowski. The Poland worldwide ran by way of and tucked in his third La Liga purpose of the season.
Barca have been firmly in management by half-time and after Felix had one other effort disallowed for offside, Xavi’s aspect additional prolonged their lead by way of the in-form Torres.
The Spain worldwide took cost of a free kick and curled it across the outdoors of the Betis wall, catching substitute goalie Francisco Vieites napping on the close to publish.
By the 66th minute, Raphinha had joined the social gathering by scoring his first league purpose of the season. The Brazil worldwide pitched up on the sting of the field quickly after his introduction from the bench and picked up Lewandowski’s move, reversing a strong shot into the other nook.
With Betis properly and really crushed, there was time for Cancelo to hitch Felix in netting his first purpose for Barca. The Portugal right-back sauntered ahead with the guests stretched and put Juan Miranda on his bottom earlier than driving in his aspect’s fifth.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7/10 – Correct distribution out from the again and made a couple of good stops, specifically from Willian Jose.
RB: Joao Cancelo – 9/10 – Gave Miranda a torrid time with dribble after dribble earlier than smashing in his new aspect’s fifth.
CB: Jules Kounde – 7/10 – Appeared a bit susceptible as Betis pushed early on however settled into extra of a rhythm as Barca grew to become extra dominant all through the competition.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 7/10 – Good move assisted Lewandowski – albeit with Felix’s dummy serving to out. Taken off with round quarter-hour left.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 7/10 – One other energetic show at left-back from Balde, who was a relentless outlet down the left. Just a little free in possession.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 8/10 – Made 102 correct passes – 30 greater than the following highest – being available for the ball whereas darting ahead when the chance got here.
CM: Oriol Romeu – 6/10 – Managed a considerably lucky help for Felix however wasn’t as massive a defensive presence as he has been up to now at Barca.
CM: Gavi – 7/10 – Seven profitable tackles for the younger Spain worldwide, who tried 12 in complete. Additionally good on the ball, misplacing solely two of his 51 passes.
RW: Ferran Torres – 8/10 – Torres’ resurgence continues together with his third league purpose of the season after netting twice towards Cyprus on worldwide obligation. Took his likelihood on his first begin and can hope to remain within the XI in midweek Champions League motion.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 8/10 – Rubber-stamped Barca’s grip on the sport with their second and picked up two assists within the second half.
LW: Joao Felix – 8/10 – Gave a efficiency extra befitting of the hype round his earlier profession, linking up properly with teammates and scoring his first Barca purpose on the second try.
Substitutes
Raphinha (64′ for Torres) – 8/10 – Scored solely two minutes after his introduction from the bench, including to Xaxi’s choice dilemma in assault.
Lamine Yamal (64′ for Felix) – 6/10 – The record-breaking Spain worldwide had a quiet recreation off the bench.
Ilkay Gundogan (64′ for Romeu) – 6/10 – Fairly a participant to merely maintain issues ticking over for the ultimate half-hour of an already-secured victory.
Inigo Martinez (76′ for Christense) – 5/10 – Booked after approaching for the ultimate exchanges.
Marcos Alonso (76′ for Balde) – 5/10
Subs not used: Inaki Pena, Sergi Roberto, Ander Astralaga (GK), Marc Casado, Unai Hernandez.
Supervisor
Xavi – 8/10 – Just a few early Betis alternatives apart, Barca have been dominant, creating all the key probabilities and displaying nice scientific edge within the remaining third. With no few key gamers in Ronald Araujo and Pedri, Xavi led Barca to a big and simple win.
Participant of the match – Joao Cancelo (Barcelona)
