Barcelona’s efficiency towards Actual Betis was removed from their finest, a sentiment shared by coach Hansi Flick and the gamers after the 2-2 draw.
Each the supervisor and the workforce displayed self-criticism, acknowledging their shortcomings in a match that left followers with loads to debate.
From Flick’s sending-off to Vitor Roque’s reunion together with his former teammates, the sport was filled with moments value noting.
Nevertheless, one statistic stands out above the remaining: Actual Betis is the one workforce this season that has not been caught offside towards Barcelona.
Betis had been onside
Below Flick’s administration, Barcelona have employed a excessive defensive position, a tactic that has confirmed to be considered one of their strongest weapons this season.
This superior line has pissed off opponents, constantly catching them offside and limiting their scoring alternatives.
The technique has been instrumental in serving to the Catalan giants safe victories throughout each La Liga and the Champions League.
Actual Betis weren’t caught offside as soon as towards Barcelona. (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Photos)
Nevertheless, Actual Betis managed to keep away from falling into this lure solely, a feat no different workforce has completed to date this marketing campaign.
A glance again on the victims
Out of the 22 groups Barcelona have confronted this season—17 in La Liga and 5 within the Champions League—each different aspect has been caught offside not less than as soon as.
Actual Madrid holds the file for essentially the most offsides, with 12 situations. Following them are Alavés and Mallorca with 11, whereas Osasuna racked up 10.
Within the Champions League, Crimson Star tallied 9 offsides, whereas groups like Girona, Getafe, Valencia, Younger Boys, and Villarreal had been flagged seven instances every.
Different golf equipment, together with Monaco, Brest, and Espanyol, had been caught offside six instances, whereas Athletic, Las Palmas, Rayo, and Valladolid had fewer situations. Sevilla, Actual Sociedad, and Bayern Munich recorded simply three offsides.
Apparently, Celta Vigo additionally managed to remain comparatively disciplined, being flagged solely twice. Nevertheless, Betis set themselves aside by avoiding the offside lure utterly.
In distinction, Barcelona had been caught offside 4 instances within the match, a uncommon reversal of roles. This means that opponents are starting to adapt to Flick’s high-line strategy, forcing Barcelona to rethink and refine their defensive technique.
The sport towards Betis was a transparent reminder that even essentially the most profitable techniques may be neutralised with cautious planning and execution.