Barcelona were surprisingly outclassed by a sparkly Real Betis who notched up their first league win at Camp Nou in a 4-3 success on Sunday
Both sides traded blows in the early exchanges with Real Betis taking the game to their hosts. Their positive outlook reaped dividends as Junior Firpo opened the scoring in the 20th minute. The Beticos were soon two to the good as Joaquin finished with the easiest of tap-ins after the Barcelona defence had been sliced open by a fantastic counter-attack.
Barcelona came out firing in the second half and pulled a goal back through a Lionel Messi penalty midway through the period. But Real Betis reopened their two-goal lead almost immediately as Giovani Lo Celso scored, courtesy an uncharacteristic error by Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The Blaugrana though, had hope again as Arturo Vidal cut the visitors’ lead.
But, the optimism largely faded after Ivan Rakitic was dismissed and Sergio Canales established Betis’ two-goal lead once again. Barcelona did pull a goal back for the third time through Messi, but there was very little time left to make any more impact. And fans lamented the lack of support for Messi, who was a lone warrior for the hosts.
Like Alba said, each player improved their performances to compensate for Messi’s absence when he was injured. Absolutely hate the way as soon as he’s back the entire team switches back to solely relying on him.
— Matt (@MessiLob) November 11, 2018
Me right now:#BarçaBetis#ValverdeOUT#Messi pic.twitter.com/75AQK2bZOt
— Aَay AlMeّrbati (@AAM_410) November 11, 2018
? | #BarçaBetis | Messi’s stats against Betis:
2 goals.
7 shots
48 passes
78 % pass accuracy
6 key passes
1 big chance created
4 long balls completed
10 duels won
2 fouls won
7 dribbles completedGreat performance overshadowed by a horrible team performance. pic.twitter.com/pfprZlvREa
— BarcaTimes (@BarcaTimes) November 11, 2018
Leo Messi during the game. pic.twitter.com/shgT6v0hzm
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) November 11, 2018
Pathetic defense
Sloppy kid field
Manager with no ideas
Messi as usual the lone warrior#ARGCRO— David Theja (@Thejadavid) June 21, 2018
Fans also panned Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ivan Rakitic for their poor performances, with the duo being the worst performers on the day.
Today was an overall disaster – Arthur, Rakitic, Busi, Sergi below par, Ter Stegen bad day, Suarez gone back to off mode … Nothing worked & to top it Betis played superb! Hope we bounce back in the next match!
— Anuradha (@ann_ac22) November 11, 2018
What was Ter Stegen thinking there for playing the ball into no man's land when he could have gone for a simple pass to Vidal? #4thGoal
— Chris (@chrisculer) November 11, 2018
Atleast we know that Rakitic will get some rest now 🙂
— pǝɯɥɐ Arafa (@ahmed3arafa55) November 11, 2018
Messi scored twice + assist.
Rakitic gets red.
Ter Stegen with a blower.
Team defend poorly.But everyone be like its Messi's fault. #BarçaRealBetis #Messi #LaLigaSantander
— varun (@varun10_) November 11, 2018
Things barto and abidal are expected to do.
1. Sell off Rakitic for that psg offer
2. Sack valverde
3. Sack Valverde
4. Sack Valverde
5. Sack valverde
6. Sack valverde
7. Sack valverde
8. Sack valverde
9. Sack valverde
10. Sack valverde— Ad. ?? (@buenoscule) November 11, 2018
Most of all, however, Ernesto Valverde was criticised for his tactics and decision making on a frustrating day for Barcelona.
Valverde is a midtable coach
— Josip ?️ (@jperkovic93) November 11, 2018
Seriously we should sack #valverde I don't know what we're waiting for ??? @FCBarcelona @jmbartomeu
— Ｓｈｉｎｉｃｈｉ 新一 ?⚽ (@TahaShinichi) November 11, 2018
No sane Barça fan wanted Valverde. He's always been a reactionary coach, ill-suited to Barcelona. https://t.co/unI9WgxqJ4
— thatishi (@thatishi) November 11, 2018
The first coach to conceded 4 goals at home after 15 years, can you believe it? I present to you, Mr Ernesto Genius Valverde! #ValverdeOut pic.twitter.com/6L9JIPq1wW
— Mohd Firdaus Suleman (@FirdausSuleiman) November 11, 2018
Valverde playing Malcom out of position on the left side, what's the logic if Messi plays in the middle most of the times. How stupid is this! Quique Setién >> Valverde
— BQ ♏ (@BQayed) November 11, 2018
Valverde out here breaking records #mymanager pic.twitter.com/i4GhqINN4J
— The Boi (@messiiisgoat) November 11, 2018
Setien is Einstein compared to Valverde
— Josip ?️ (@jperkovic93) November 11, 2018
this better be valverde's last season man i can't take this mediocrity anymore
— a (@PakisKhann) November 11, 2018