FC Barcelona Versus Real Betis Preview: Team News And Starting Lineup

Despite a Copa del Rey semifinal first leg meeting with Sevilla on Wednesday, FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman is expected to field a full-strength first XI away at Real Betis in La Liga today.

“It’s never good for a coach to say certain games are more important than others,” the Dream Team legend said at his prematch press conference yesterday. “The next one is always the most important. It’s about day by day, game by game.”

“I know we’re in the semifinal [of the Copa del Rey] against a strong team in Sevilla, who are still in all competitions as well, but we have to take it day to day. That is the best way to prepare and win games,” he insisted.

Knocked out of said competition by Barça’s Supercup final foes Athletic Club, in a grueling penalty shootout on Thursday, seventh-placed Betis still have everything to play for in chasing Europa League qualification under Manuel Pelligrini.

Hoping to keep them at bay will be Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in goal for the Blaugrana, who will be supported by a back line of Jordi Alba, Clement Lenglet, Ronald Araujo and Sergino Dest from left to right.

In a 4-3-3, Sergio Busquets is the pivot placed behind teen sensation Pedri and the in-form Frenkie de Jong.

Yet enjoying an even bigger purple patch, with seven goals since the turn of 2021, is Antoine Griezmann. Now undroppable, the World Cup winner mans the left wing but could interchange with lone false ‘9’ Lionel Messi and compatriot Ousmane Dembele on the opposite flank.

All three men bagged goals last time out against the Seville-based giants, with Messi raising his hands twice, in a 5-2 rout at the Camp Nou where Pedri became the club’s fourth-youngest scorer of all time.

And in the Catalans’ last trip to the Benito Villamarín, Barça also ran out victors in a 2-3 thriller that was a statement of intent during the doomed tenure of Koeman’s predecessor Quique Setien.

Once more trying to keep their title credentials alive here, a win would push the visitors back up to second above Real Madrid.