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Daniel Panero
Martes, 14 de enero 2025, 18:05
Barcelona has the opportunity this Wednesday to show their fans that they have learned a valuable lesson. The team led by Hansi Flick faces Betis in the Copa del Rey round of 16 just three days after thrashing their eternal rival. The scenario seems ideal, but it could be a trap similar to what the Blaugrana experienced in November after receiving praise from the entire football world following their 4-0 league victory at the Bernabéu. Barça now seeks to correct that mistake and prove that the display against their eternal rival is not a one-off and can continue over time.
"For me, it is important, after the great victory against Real Madrid, to show that we are strong and want to win. It should give us the confidence that we can win every match, but we have to prove it. We need to have the mentality and work on the pitch as a united team, it is crucial," said Flick in the pre-match press conference against Betis. The German coach already knows the rollercoaster of Barcelona, having experienced it in a November where they went from thrashing Bayern and Madrid to collecting five points from 21 and losing at home to Las Palmas, Leganés, and Atlético.
This slump cannot happen again now that the Blaugrana team is back in a positive dynamic. The lesson for Barça is to play with a mentality similar to what they have had in major events. To this end, Flick will field a starting eleven with few changes from the one that defeated Real Madrid, except for the inclusion of Iñaki Peña for the suspended Szczesny and Ronald Araujo in the defense for Iñigo Martínez, who will be sidelined for a month.
Barça will step onto the Montjuic pitch with the assurance that they will face a team that plays and lets play. Pellegrini's Betis remains an enigma, a team capable of the best and the worst in equal measure. It is not surprising that they are mid-table in the league and have high hopes in a Copa tournament they know well, having been champions not too long ago, in 2022. With that memory in mind, they will visit Barça with the obligation not to let injuries to Gio Lo Celso, Chimy Ávila, Héctor Bellerín, Marc Roca, or Willian Carvalho weigh them down. "We must consider defensive strategies due to the quality of their players, but I believe the best way to try to qualify for the next round is to go for the match from the start, which is what we will do," assured Pellegrini.
Barcelona: Iñaki Peña, Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Balde, Pedri, Casadó, Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, and Lewandowski.
Betis: Vieites, Sabaly, Natan, Diego Llorente, Ricardo Rodríguez, Altimira, Cardoso, Isco, Abde, Bakambu, and Vitor Roque.
Referee: Sánchez Martínez (Murcian Committee).
Stadium: Lluis Companys.
Time and TV: 21:00 h. Movistar Plus +.
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