Robert Lewandowski’s 23rd goal in 21 club games this season was not enough to prevent Barcelona from dropping points for the fourth time in five La Liga games as hosts Real Betis equalized in the 94th minute to secure 2-2 draw.
Striker Lewandowski, who was ruled out for the first time this season and was an unused substitute as Barca won 5-1 in Mallorca on Tuesday, headed home Jules Conte’s right-wing cross to give his side a 39th-minute lead in Benito . Villamarin Stadium.
Giovanni Lo Celso equalized with a 68th-minute penalty after Frenkie de Jong was sent off for bringing down former Barca team-mate Vitor Roque, with Barcelona later accusing those in charge of “taking an eternity” for an “extremely ambiguous” decision .
LEWY BALL DOES IT AGAIN.#BetisBarça | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/CpWfbvt5bc
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024
Betis – Barcelona: Red card
De Jong’s manager Hansi Flick was also sent off in protest, although there was better news for the German when Ferran Torres restored the visitors’ lead by firing home from Lamine Yamal’s clever pass eight minutes from time.
Assane Diao’s superb first-time finish from Aitor Ruibal’s delivery denied Flick’s side victory in added time and gave another boost to second-placed Real Madrid, who are now five points clear at the top with two games in hand with the top ones.
“We didn’t play a good game,” Flick said, via AS. “We are a new team and we have to improve. When we play away from home, we have to be stronger.”
Terrible save by Iñaki Peña#LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/okrdz5TsPJ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024
Movement “not proud” of the mission
“We’ve got the quality, so that’s our problem,” Flick added. “(We showed) very slow passes, a lot of long balls. And we don’t want that. It’s not one of our strengths.”
Flick declined to speak about the referee and said he did not plan to appeal his punishment. “I don’t think I’ve complained too much,” he added.
“It took a long time to look at it, and if it takes that long, it’s because maybe it wasn’t. I’m not proud of myself. (the assistant referees) said something to the referee and decided to give me the red card.”
Full Time #BetisBarça pic.twitter.com/3lT1NUHfq4
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024
Barcelona results table
Flick had said he was happy November was over after Barca’s win in Mallorca, after seeing his side follow up a 4-0 win in Madrid on October 26 with four points from a possible 12 in the league during the month which followed.
However, their patchy form continued in Seville, and third-placed Atletico Madrid are now six points behind them with two games in hand, albeit 11-goal deficits.
Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, visit eighth-placed Girona at 20:00 GMT on Saturday. Barcelona are next in action when they visit Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday (8pm).
