Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Betis | La Liga GW 30 | OneFootball

Barcelona are through to the final of the Copa del Rey and will meet Real Madrid in the ultimate clash later this month.

Before they reach the pinnacle game, however, the Catalans must first clear the various opponents in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League who lie in their path.

Real Betis present the first such obstacle, and a challenging one given their recent run of form. Considering the league table, moreover, there is simply no room for error for Barcelona.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Betis.

Rotations needed

Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid earlier this week was exhausting, to say the least, for the Catalans.

The team gave their all on the field, pressed like their lives depended on it, and ultimately brought home the win. However, many players completed the game with discomfort.

With the big UEFA Champions League quarterfinal coming up midweek, Barcelona need to keep rotations coming as the schedule is not getting any easier. After all, they have hardly had any rest after the Copa del Rey clash.

Pedri, Jules Kounde and Lamine Yamal are players who have had little rest and could do with a start on the bench. Whether or not tonight is the right time to rotate them is a decision for Hansi Flick.

With Pablo Torre and Gavi both available, the manager has no shortage of options in midfield although it is clear that no player brings quite what Pedri does.

If Yamal is to be rested, Raphinha can be given a start on the right flank with Ferran Torres starting on the left. As is the case with Pedri, however, no player can quite bring the magic he harbours.

In the case of Kounde, Hector Fort would appear to be the ideal choice although Flick has not laid much trust in his abilities this season.

Raphinha’s time to warm up

Time to step up. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

The win at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano saw Barcelona close to their best, especially in the opening 45 minutes. Lamine Yamal and Pedri dictated the game while the likes of Ferran Torres, Inigo Martinez and Fermin Lopez all shone in their own right.

One player who did not hit the levels expected of him, however, was Raphinha. While the Brazilian was not poor in any capacity, he was nowhere close to the quality he has shown over the course of the season.

Given that it was Raphinha’s first game after a long and taxing international break, his temporary dip in form is understandable. With the UEFA Champions League returning midweek, however, he does not have long to rediscover his mojo.

Tonight, the spotlight will thus shine bright on Raphinha to see if he can break through the rust and find his sizzling best once more.

After all, Barcelona need him back at his peak at the earliest and 90 minutes as the protagonist against a team like Real Betis may give Raphinha the confidence he requires.

An opposition in supreme form

Barcelona may well be the most in-form and daunting team to play against in Europe this season, especially in 2025. They have taken it upon themselves to step up and have delivered across all competitions.

One team who have been on an equally special domestic run, however, are Real Betis – the team Barcelona face tonight.

Los Verdiblancos’ last domestic defeat came against Celta Vigo just under two months ago. Even across all competitions, their last defeat was only in the third week of February against Gent – albeit in a game that was already won in the first leg.

Real Betis are currently on a seven-game unbeaten streak and have won six of those games. They are currently in sixth place on the league standings and just six points away from a UEFA Champions League spot.

Isco’s absence through suspension will indeed be a big blow to Manuel Pellegrini’s side, but the likes of Giovani Lo Celso are no walkovers in midfield even in Isco’s absence.

Furthermore, their new signing Antony has largely been on fire since signing for the La Liga club and Barcelona must be wary of his threat if he has indeed settled comfortably in his role.