Real Betis 2-2 FC Barcelona – Tactical Analysis

FC Barcelona eliminated Real Betis, to reach the final, in a penalty shootout. We will analyze the first part of the match where Barça was far superior and the play of Betis’ first goal.

1st Half

FC Barcelona

Out of possession

Barcelona pressed high, preventing Betis from having possession at all times, which made the first few minutes very difficult for Pellegrini’s team. Barça pressed the players who tried to generate numerical superiority, with Gavi close to Canales.

In addition, both Koundé and Araujo prevented Betis from playing long balls.

In possession

In possession, Barça found many solutions to progress up the field, the first being Koundé, either by passing or driving until he found opposition.

Another solution was Dembélé appearing in the middle of the field, no one was following him and Barça could come out with spaces.

Those spaces were the ones that Gavi attacked constantly, receiving passes and from there being vertical and trying to finish the play in a few touches.

And one of the best players in Barcelona’s best stretch was Frenkie de Jong. He played a great game, being a starter instead of Busquets, having much more mobility, playing faster and appearing in unusual positions for a Barça defensive midfielder.

Real Betis

1-1

Betis’ first goal came after a turnover by Ferrán Torres.

The ball ended up at the feet of Luiz Henrique who played a great game and after controlling the ball for the shot, Ferrán went to the ground to try to block the shot, but Luiz Henrique decided to pass the ball to the right. Fekir, who was the player who managed to give Betis solutions to improve, scored the goal.