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Betis2 - 2Barcelona

sportsmole.co.uk, 8 December 2024, 15:17
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is reportedly facing a two-game touchline ban following his red card in his side's 2-2 draw with Real Betis on Saturday afternoon.

The Catalan giants led 1-0 and 2-1 in Seville, with Ferran Torres scoring Barcelona's second in the 82nd minute, but Real Betis secured a point in the 94th minute courtesy of a goal from Assane Diao, who made it 2-2 by converting a cross from Aitor Ruibal.

Flick was sent off by referee Muniz Ruiz due to his protests against a Real Betis penalty, which was awarded following a VAR check on a challenge from Frenkie de Jong on Vitor Roque, who is on loan at Manuel Pellegrini's side from Barcelona.

Ruiz did not initially give the spot kick, but he changed his mind after advice from VAR, which led to Flick receiving a red card after showing his frustration at the decision.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick is facing a two-game touchline ban, meaning that he is set to be absent from the technical area for the team's next two league games against Leganes and Atletico Madrid.

Flick was handed a red card during Barcelona's draw with Real Betis

Flick said after the match that he 'did not understand' why the referee had decided to send him off.

"I don't understand my red card. I didn't say anything to anybody. I had a reaction, something I said to myself. This has never happened to me before," the Barcelona boss said during his post-match press conference.

"I don't think Barca will present an appeal for my red card. It's fine."

Flick also opened on his disappointment at what occurred on the field, with Barcelona passing up the chance to gather a valuable three points against Real Betis.

"I'm disappointed with what happened on the pitch. This was a match we needed to win. We know we have the quality to win, but we must prove it. We have to play more quickly. We were too slow today. Lots of long balls. It's not our strong suit and we have to change. We only started playing well after the goal."

"When we have more control, we find better positions and play faster. We were very bad today, very late, very slow. Giving a long pass is taking the easy way out and we don't want to play like that."

When will Barcelona be back in action?

Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways when they tackle Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night, before welcoming Leganes in their next La Liga fixture on December 15.

The Catalan giants remain top of the La Liga table, two points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, but the reigning champions still have a game in hand on the side at the summit.

Written by

Matt Law

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