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Lionel Messi got here off the bench to encourage Barcelona to a 3-2 win over Real Betis with Francisco Trincao scoring a dramatic late winner.
It took Messi simply two minutes to cancel out Borja Iglesias’ first-half opener after approaching within the 57th minute. Ten minutes later, he turned supplier, linking with Jordi Alba earlier than Victor Ruiz turned it into his personal web.
Barca’s lead was short-lived, with Ruiz making up for his error on the different finish to deliver Betis stage once more, just for Trincao’s first aim for the membership, a shocking effort from the sting of the field, to steal the factors for Ronald Koeman’s aspect within the 87th minute.
Positives
For the second time this week, Barca got here from behind to win a sport — they received 5-3 towards Granada on Wednesday within the Copa del Rey. Nobody can accuse this aspect of missing struggle.
The Blaugrana are actually unbeaten in 11 league video games, profitable their final six, and are seven factors behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who do have two video games in hand.
For the match-winner, Trincao, this was his first aim for the membership, coming in his twenty seventh look. He was unfortunate to not rating towards Granada, rattling the bar, however he couldn’t have hoped for a extra essential aim to open his account.
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Negatives
Barca have been uncovered defensively by Betis, conceding two low-cost objectives, one from a set-piece, and that continues to be a priority with Paris Saint-Germain due at Camp Nou in 9 days. In additional defensive issues, Ronald Araujo went off with a sprained ankle after 11 minutes. With Gerard Pique additionally out, Barca’s choices at centre-back are extraordinarily restricted.
In the meantime, the distinction between Barca with Messi and with out Messi was as soon as once more evident — there’s nonetheless a specific amount of Messi-dependence.
Supervisor score out of 10
7 — Koeman’s choice to make so many adjustments regarded set to backfire earlier than his substitutes saved him. The Dutch coach left Messi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong on the bench with an eye fixed on Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg towards Sevilla.
Participant rankings (1-10; 10 = greatest. Gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 — Not at fault for both of the objectives and made a number of sensible saves to maintain the rating stage at 2-2.
DF Oscar Mingueza, 6 — Struggled defensively at first however grew into the sport. Did not add sufficient in assault, though he did pressure a save from Joel Robles early within the second half.
DF Ronald Araujo, N/R — Pressured off earlier than the sport even bought going.
DF Clement Lenglet, 6 — Given he was taking part in in a makeshift backline he did OK. Nobody got here out of the second aim Barca conceded trying good.
DF Jordi Alba, 6 — Roasted for tempo by Emerson Royal for Betis’ first aim. Up the opposite finish, he got here into the sport as soon as Messi got here on and helped arrange the second Barca aim.
MF Sergio Busquets, 6 — Struggled when the sport opened up and gave away the free kick which Ruiz scored from.
MF Miralem Pjanic, 5 — Seemed awkward in entrance of Busquets and likewise seemed to be missing confidence.
MF Riqui Puig, 6 — Sloppy with the ball early on however did enhance earlier than coming off within the second half. Regardless of that, felt like a missed alternative on a uncommon begin.
FW Ousmane Dembele, 7 — Barca’s most fun participant within the first half. All the time a menace when carrying the ball and taking gamers on however he missed an awesome probability within the second half after being freed by Griezmann.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 6 — Did not do sufficient within the first half however like Barca as a staff, improved as soon as Messi got here on. Fluffed his greatest probability so will need to have been relieved to see it find yourself within the web regardless through Betis defender Ruiz.
FW Martin Braithwaite, 5 — Requested to play huge left and struggled to have any affect earlier than coming off at half-time.
Substitutes
DF Frenkie de Jong, 6 — Poorly positioned for the Betis opener however was taking part in out of place. As anticipated, was higher when he moved into midfield late on.
MF Pedri, 7 — Defends from the entrance in a means that few others can. Very important to Barca’s second-half efficiency.
FW Lionel Messi, 8 — Modified the sport immediately, scoring his thirteenth league aim of the season off the within of the publish. Performed an excellent cross to Alba within the build-up to the second aim.
FW Francisco Trinaco, 7 — He is waited a very long time for his first Barca aim since signing from Braga for €30 million in the summertime. It was value it.
DF Samuel Umtiti, N/R — Got here on for Busquets at 2-2 so as to add stability to Barca’s defence.
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