THE UNEXPECTED DEFEAT AT NOU CAMP

Nou Camp is Barcelona's home ground and it's wide enough for their tika-taka kind of football. They've won more matches in the stadium and opponents always wish to get just a draw there. Although their form this season isn't encouraging but losing at home was a big slap on their face. The fact that the defeat came from a team that isn't in the top ten in the league made it news. Barcelona tried all they could to get a draw in their home, but Real Betis made it extremely difficult.

Lionel Messi appeared in the starting lineup after a long while of not playing. He had an injury and started the match without Dembele and Coutinho. The Brazilian sustained an injury during training and would be fit to play in three weeks time. According to Ernesto Valverde, Dembele has been acting indifferent to training sections, perhaps that's why he wasn't in the squad that faced Real Betis. It's possible he was injured too, but Barcelona missed these two players.

Malcolm started the match with Messi and Suarez in the front line. Arthur, Rakitic and Bousquet played the midfield role as usual while the back line was made up of Pique, Linglet, Alba and Roberto. Umtiti is back from his long time injury, he only appeared in the substitutes and didn't play the match. With this lineup, everything was set for Barcelona. The fans had expected the winning score lines they were used to in Camp Nou.

The first ten minutes was balanced. Barcelona had the ball possessions but Real Betis had more attempts. Lionel Messi tried to get a goal at the early minutes of the game, but he played it wide. He had another chance too but his shot was stopped by a defender. He was simply brilliant given the fact that it was his first match after the injury. Real Betis changed the zero scoreline in the 20th minute. Junior Firpo was faced with Sergie Roberto, he dribbled to his right and played a good shot that couldn't be stopped by Ter Stegen.

That wasn't the first time a team will take the lead in Nou Camp, the fans still believed they would come back. Joaquin made sure they wouldn't get that chance in the first half. He scored a goal in the 34th minute and that was due to Barcelona's poor defense. All the midfielders were practically strolling instead of running to help the defenders. They couldn't score a goal in the first half but were still hopeful.

The tempo changed in the second half. Barcelona threatened the opponent's defence but Betis' players were calm. They had a lot of chances that was well defended. Alba was brought down in the penalty spot in the 66th minute and that gave Barcelona a chance to score a goal. Messi played it brilliantly and it became 2-1 at the 68th minute. Real Betis came out strong immediately and got a goal just 3 minutes after they conceded one. Ter Stegen made a poor save, he couldn't catch or push Giovani Lo Celso's shot.

The dial minutes of the game became too tough and interesting. Barcelona wanted at least two goals and the visitors needed that win. Arturo Vidal scored a second goal for Barcelona in the 79th minute - it was a controversial goal. The linesman didn't signal an offside but it might have been denied if the referee had agreed to use the VAR. That goal gave Barcelona the chance of a draw but it never came. Ivan Rakitic was sent out in the 81st minute and they were left to play with 9 men.

Real Betis used that opportunity to score a fourth goal in the 83rd minute. Sergio Canales got a square pass and placed the ball beside Stegen. That sealed up the game; with the tempo of the game, there was no way Barcelona would secure a draw. They were able to score another goal in the dial minutes of the game though, a team work lead to Messi's goal in the 91st minute.

Their loss made the league standings fairer and tougher, only one point separates them from Sevila, Atletico Madrid and Alaves. That's an overview of what happened in Nou Camp. They will be playing against Atletico Madrid in their next match and that's definitely a match to watch out for - it would determine a lot.

Until then...

All images are screenshots from the match.

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It's @afolwalex, your number one sport analyst.