Barca grind out important win
UNDER pressure and needing a victory, Barcelona didn’t mind leaving aside their ball-possession game for a while.
It was with set-pieces that the team salvaged a crucial win at the weekend to get back on track after a turbulent start to the year under coach Quique Setién.
Lionel Messi had three assists – two from free-kicks – as Barcelona twice came from behind to defeat Real Betis 3-2 in Seville on Sunday.
The victory kept the Catalan club three points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who earlier had won 4-1 at Osasuna.
Barcelona didn’t fully abandon their traditional passing game, but they only got the goals they needed thanks to the set-pieces.
The team were losing 2-1 when Messi found Sergio Busquets inside the area for the equaliser just before half-time, and after the break it was a header from Clement Lenglet off another cross from Messi that gave Barcelona the win.
“What hurts the most is that their team can score a thousand different ways but we conceded two goals from free-kicks far from the area,” Real Betis coach Rubi said.
Barcelona continued to improve despite the narrow victory, relieving some of the pressure on Setién since he replaced Ernesto Valverde at the beginning of the year.
“We’ve played more games and had more time to practice under him,”
Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto said.
“After a change, you always need some time to adapt, but it’s a lot easier to work after victories.”
Next for Barcelona will be a league game at home against third-placed Getafe, who have become the sensation of the Spanish league.
For the second straight season, the modest club from southern Madrid are hanging around near the top of the standings, contending for a Champions League spot and outplaying some more traditional Spanish teams.
Getafe are in third place after 23 matches, ahead of Atlético Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia. They trail second-placed Barcelona by seven points and Real Madrid by 10.
“It’s a tough team to beat,” Valencia coach Albert Celades said.
“It plays very solidly on defence and it doesn’t concede many goals. When a team is in third place like that, it’s because it does a lot of things well, there is no doubt about that.”
Valencia were Getafe’s latest victims on Saturday, routed 3-0. In the previous round, Getafe won 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao.
Getafe were in contention for a Champions League spot until the end of last season, holding on to fourth place until being overtaken by Valencia with two rounds to go. They face Ajax in the last 32 of the Europa League.
| AP