Wednesday night saw Barcelona fall to just their third defeat in La Liga this season at Estadio de Vallecas. After the heartbreaks against Real Madrid and Almeria, it was Rayo Vallecano who inflicted the latest wound.
The Catalans were grossly outplayed on the night and looked far from the version they have shown in the league this season against Andoni Iraola’s side. While the defence was leakier than ever, the forwards lacked the X-factor once again.
The demanding schedule, however, gives Xavi Hernandez little time to ponder over lost opportunities. Barcelona must take to the field again in just two days’ time and this time face another steep challenge in Real Betis.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the Verdiblancos have reasons to be the happier camp heading into the fixture at Spotify Camp Nou.
Manuel Pellegrini has been gifted twin boosts ahead of the date with Barcelona with both Juanmi and Youssouf Sabaly expected to return on the night from their respective injuries.
Juanmi has been out of action since his side’s loss to Cadiz earlier this month. Sabaly, meanwhile, faced a longer time on the sidelines after his injury on international duty. But the duo was back in team training today, handing Real Betis a timely boost.
Pellegrini will thus be only without the services of Nabil Fekir and Victor Ruiz at Spotify Camp Nou and could pose a stiff challenge to an out-of-form Barcelona.
Real Betis enter the weekend’s game having won just one of their last five games. Ironically, the Catalans are in an identical situation in terms of recent form.
Barcelona are just ten points away from mathematically sealing the title and engraving their name on the silverware. With both Ousmane Dembele and Andreas Christensen expected to return for Sunday’s game, it could be a special night for the Catalans in their race for the title.
