Robert Lewandowski’s 23rd goal in 21 games for the club this season was not enough to keep Barcelona clean for the fourth time in five La Liga games as hosts Real Betis equalized in the 94th minute to draw 2-2.
Striker Lewandowski, sidelined for the first time this season and an unused substitute as Barca beat Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday, headed in Jules Cunde’s free-kick to give his side the lead in the 39th minute. Benito promoted. Villamarin Stadium.
Giovani Lo Celso equalized with a penalty in the 68th minute after Frenkie de Jong was sent off for bringing down former Barca team-mate Vitor Roque, and Barcelona later blamed the officials for “an eternity” for a “very uncertain” decision. did
LEVI BALL DOES IT AGAIN.#BetisBarca | #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/CpWfbvt5bc
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024
Betis and Barcelona: hit the red card
De Jong’s manager, Hansi Flick, was also sent off for protesting, although there was better news for Germany when Ferran Torres restored the visitors’ lead after eight minutes from time when he tapped in from Lamin Yamal’s deft cross.
Assan Diao’s superb first-time header from Aitor Ruibal denied Flick’s side an extra-time victory and gave second-placed Real Madrid another boost, now five points adrift of the leaders with two games in hand.
“We did not play a good game,” Flick, through AS. “We are a young team and we have to improve. When we play away, we have to be strong.”
Incredible revival by Inaki Peña#LaLiga pic.twitter.com/okrdz5TsPJ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024
Flick is “not proud” of sending
“We have quality, so that’s our problem,” Flick added. “(We showed) very slow passes, long balls. And we don’t want that. That’s not one of our strengths.”
Flick declined to discuss the arbitration and said he has no plans to appeal his punishment. “I don’t think I complained much,” he added.
“It took a long time to see it, and if it took you that long, it’s because it probably wasn’t. I am not proud of myself; (The assistant officials) said something to the referee and they decided to give me a red card.”
Full time #BetisBarca pic.twitter.com/3lT1NUHfq4
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024
Barcelona results, table
Flick said he was happy to end November after Barca’s win in Mallorca saw his side follow up a 4-0 win at Madrid on October 26 with four points from a possible 12 in the league over the next month. did
Their lackluster form continued in Sevilla and third-placed Atletico Madrid are now six points behind them with two games in hand, albeit with 11 goals in less.
Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, host eighth-placed Girona on Saturday at 20:00 GMT. On Wednesday (20:00) in the Champions League, Barcelona will play against Borussia Dortmund.
