The Blaugrana team served a football lesson to Betis, confirming the good vibes of the Super Cup and securing a place among the eight best teams in the Copa del Rey.
FC Barcelona continues to live in euphoria. After their triumph in the Super Cup against Real Madrid, the Blaugrana claimed a victory in the Copa del Rey against Betis, thus validating their ticket to the quarter-finals. The Catalans won the match 5-0 at the Lluis Companys Stadium, dominating from start to finish, with goals from Gavi, Koundé, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal, completing another idyllic evening.
Mindset is essential in football, and the Barça fans who invaded the Montjuic stands know it well, braving the biting cold. The team entered the field with great fire, determined to extend their euphoric streak. Flick’s men were relentless. The German coach made one change in each line with Iñaki Peña, Gerard Martín, Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo all in action, the latter occupying the false nine position. In this position, he became a dynamic presence, disrupting Betis’ defense and creating space for Barcelona’s attacking talent to shine.
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It took just three minutes for Flick’s tactics to bear fruit. Barcelona circulated the ball well, playing between all four corners, and the ball reached Gavi, who entered the box like Pedro at home, opening the scoring and signaling that it could be another perfect night. The stage was set. Barca pushed Betis to their limits and began an attack filled with all the ingredients of their coach’s playbook: suffocating pressure in the opposing camp, fast circulation and two sharp wingers ready to haunt Betis.
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Flick’s system has undergone several adjustments this time around. Frenkie de Jong slotted in between the centre-backs instead of Pedri to break Pellegrini’s usual pressure, while Dani Olmo’s position was enigmatic for a Betis side facing a different opponent to the one they faced at Villamarin. That day, Lewandowski was the focal point, which was missing this time. The former RB Leipzig player was visibly engaged despite the recent controversy surrounding his registration, and he was involved in two missed chances: one parried by Vieites’ exemplary hand and another where the post barely held following his thunderous shot .
The match was going in one direction, and it was only a matter of time before Barca found another hole. The mobility of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Dani Olmo dismantled a Betis team that had no answer, and the net shook again after another stroke of genius from Lamine Yamal. The young winger executed a perfectly measured pass to Koundé with precision, who fired from point-blank range past Vieites, sending the crowd at the Lluis Companys Stadium into delirium, delighted with his team’s performance. It capped an excellent first half for the Catalans, who could have gone into the break with an even greater advantage had VAR not ruled out a third Koundé goal due to a marginal offside.
After the break, Barca maintained their relentless approach. Betis tried to come out of their shell but found a lethal opponent ready to take advantage of any space. Every ball played behind the green and white central defenders was an invitation into the box, leading to three more goals as the game neared the end. Raphinha finished off a superb individual effort from Lamine Yamal; Newly introduced Ferran Torres completed the poker after a pass from Olmo, and Lamine closed his day with a goal, placing the ball inside the near post after making a well-timed run. Flick took advantage of the final phase to give game time to lesser used players like Ferran, Eric García, Fermín and Pau Víctor before Betis reduced the gap from the penalty spot as Barça headed into the quarter-finals with momentum on their side.
