La Liga 2018/19: Barcelona vs Real Betis

This post originally featured on our comprehensive Barcelona analysis sister site, barcelonaanalysis.com.

It was September 10^th, two years ago, when Barcelona last yielded to an opponent within their own fortress of Camp Nou. Alaves surprised the Catalan giant and took away three points with a 2:1 victory on that night. And it was truly a mesmerizing night. But ever since them teams have come and gone through Catalunya no one managed to return back home with a win under their belts. Until Quique Setien and his Real Betis side, that is.

After a true goal-fest, and after the “green and whites” put four goals past the uninspired home side, while conceding one less, the Camp Nou was conquered once again.

This tactical analysis will use statistics to explain how Betis toppled Barcelona in a truly dominating display and a night Blaugrana will not easily forget.

Line ups

Barca (4-3-3): Ter Stegen, S.Roberto, Pique, Linglet, Jordi Alba  Rakitić, Sergio Busquets, Arthur  Suarez, Messi, Malcom

Bench: Cillissen, Semedo, Umtiti, Denis, Vidal, Alena, Munir

Coach: Ernesto Valverde

Real Betis (3-4-1-2): Lopez  A.Mandi, Marc Bartra, Sidnei  Tello, G.Lo Celso, Carvalho, Guadrado, Firpo  Joaquin, Loren Moron

Bench: Joel Robles , Barragan, Feddal, Canales, Inui, Sergio Leon, Sanabria

Coach: Quique Setien

The Setup

Barcelona

There were some murmurs before the game about a certain number 10 coming back after a serious injury, and all of it turned out to be true. Not only was Lionel Messi included in the squad, but he also started and finished the game at the Camp Nou. And what a game it was for the little magician.

There was one more change for Ernesto Valverde’s usually standard 4-3-3 setup. With the injury of Philippe Coutinho and the exclusion of Ousmane Dembele, the young Brazilian, Malcom, finally got his first start in La Liga.

It’s safe to say that he