Barcelona were not at their best but kept the pressure up on leaders Real Madrid with a 4-2 victory over Betis at the Nou Camp.
Before kick off the fans were shown the Club World Cup trophy and Messi also paraded his recently retained World Player of the Year Award. The gongs brought a cheer to the crowd in what was a slightly downcast atmosphere before kick-off. Not what Barca really needed for a game they must win to keep in touch with Real Madrid.
On the face of it Betis don’t appear a difficult opponent but after a poor run during autumn they have got their rhythm back and won four out of the last five games in all competitions.
Barca began the game knocking the ball around and settling into a 3-4-3 formation with Puyol, Mascherano and Abidal at the back. Betis’ pace is where they really carry the threat and with their first real string of passes Molina, who has been in good form for Betis, went through on goal and Valdes blocked his shot. The Barca shot stopper had to be alert again from the proceeding corner as he stopped a Dorado header.
Barca responded quickly though and Xavi knocked in the opening goal after Cesc’s shot from a tight angle hit the post. Betis’ weak defence was soon being torn apart again as Messi added a second from an Alexis Sanchez cross.
The azulgrana in possession appear unstoppable but it is at the back where there are concerns and is the reason why they have dropped points away. 41 goals without a single in response until tonight was a fantastic total at the Camp Nou but they have only won three matches away, along with drawing four and losing one.
That record of not conceding a goal was increasingly in danger and finally went as the defence was cut open with Ruben Castro slotting home from close range after 32 minutes.
Betis could have had another before half-time as Molina headed over unchallenged at a corner.
The Andalusians came out for the second half with attack in mind as Roque Santa Cruz was added to the forward line. At the same time Barca switched to a flat back four with Alves on but the defensive change did not work as Santa Cruz fired Betis level with a strike into the corner after being given too much time on the edge of the area.
Barca looked a lot more lively but Betis defended more deeply and were frustrating a Barca side not at their best. Messi had a few speculative shots but without too much danger.
Gradually the pressure was beginning to tell and the referee missed a body check by Montero on Iniesta inside the area which would have been a penalty.
Minutes later though the sending off of Betis defender Mario turned the match in Barca’s favour.
Iniesta had a shot saved and Alexis headed over before the Chilean restored Barca’s lead with a drive from 20 yards which found the corner passed the keeper’s despairing dive.
Messi added the fourth from the penalty spot and attention now turns to the Copa del Rey and the next clasico in Madrid.
