CHAPTER 273: Real Betis 2 - Barcelona 2

Alternative title: Eto’o +2, Barcelona +1


Negatives

• Draw meant Barça dropped two points.

• The win streak is broken.

• Barcelona went down by two goals first.

• Not really a great game by Barcelona (struggling).

• Hleb’s offside on the 13th minute in the first half, I think he should have positioned himself better.

• A scary moment when Oliveira was faster than the Barça defense on the 15th minute but luckily on his shot that he couldn’t keep the ball into the net.

• The first goal came from a Betis corner. Set-piece weakness again.

• And the second goal conceded.

• Pique’s yellow.

• I believe that Hleb was ineffective for Barcelona’s attack on the right side during the first half. It looked like the team resorted to Iniesta’s side to launch opportunities.

• Eto’o missing that chance on the 5th minute of the second half (unbelievable).

• Messi’s header on the 24th minute of the second half.

• Busquets’ yellow card.

• What the fu-k was with the last corner kick by Barcelona?

• In the second half Barça were more attacking in Betis’ goal but there were still miscontrol and mispasses from the players.

• Henry and Messi (and late later Bojan) came on but I foiund that they weren’t really decisive in Barça’s attack and quest for scoring goals.

• I think Dani Alves really ‘underperformed’ in Seville.

• I also think Busquets had a poor game. In my opinion he had a frustrating battle against Emana.

• I’m not sure what Pep’s plan was in the later part of the game, as he put on forwards that ended up looking like Barcelona were too confused or over crowded in building up scoring chances.

Positives

• A personal achievement for Samuel Eto’o for his goals.

• He scored his 100th and 101st goal for the club.

• Decisive goals they were. First came just before halftime, and the second late late on. Eto’o saved a point for Barça. Thank God he scored on the rebound after Ricardo saved it.

• Iniesta good hardwork in the first half on the left wing, dribbling/cutting through constantly Betis and Ilie was Barça’s positive point in the first half besides Eto’o’s goal.

• Valdes’ save on the 8th minute in the second half.

• Valdes saving that one on one chance against Ricardo Oliveira on the 27th minute of the second half. That was really crucial and important as it kept Barça one goal less (and Eto’o to score and tie up the game moments later…..).

• Pique at times ‘won’ battles against Oliveira.

• Applauding the team’s spirit in always attacking, and looking for the equalizer first and then looking for the win (at Betis’ homeground).