Argentine midfielder with a perfect away record against Barcelona will replace Isco for Real Betis in upcoming La Liga clash | OneFootball

Following their win over Atletico Madrid and qualification for the final of the Copa del Rey, FC Barcelona are set to return to action in La Liga this Saturday as they take on one of the in-form teams, Real Betis.

The Verdiblancos will be looking to create history by winning seven La Liga games in a row for the first time since their participation in the competition, and thus, beating them will not really be easy.

However, one good news for Hansi Flick’s side is that Manuel Pellegrini will be without one of his brightest performers this season, Isco, as he is suspended for this game because of yellow card accumulation.

While this is definitely good news for the Blaugranes, Mundo Deportivo reports that Real Betis will still be able to field a replacement for him that has already tormented Barcelona in the past, i.e, the Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.

The Argentine has played away twice against the Catalans, and both times he came out as the winner. First, with Real Betis in November 2018 as he took on Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona while playing under Quique Setien and scoring a goal in a match that ended 3-4.

Then, in May 2022, he was playing under Unai Emery at Villarreal when he helped his team defeat Xavi Hernandez’ Blaugranes with a 0-2 scoreline.

From the former 3-4 win that he got over Barcelona with Real Betis, only he, Marc Bartra, and William Carvalho remain in the Verdiblanco squad, while for the Catalans, there is only Marc Andre Ter Stegen remaining, who is also currently out with an injury.

However, Lo Celso will not really be at his best physical level, as he returned to the pitch only last Sunday after spending a month and a half on the sidelines with muscle problems. Still, he is a dangerous player to face, and hopefully, Hansi Flick will find a formula to keep his influence limited on the pitch.