Barçellona, ​​Champions place in the safe: Alba extends Betis to the last breath

Three points to the last breath that are worth the mathematical qualification for the Champions League after 94 ‘of battle at Villamarin. This is how Barça spreads Betis, thanks to a pearl by Jordi Alba at the last minute of recovery after a series of back and forth that had seen the paw of Ansu Fati and the immediate reaction of Bartra. The Andalusians give up with a bitter taste for having led the dance for so long. The Catalans, on the other hand, thank Neto’s reflexes, avenge the knockout of the first leg (1-0) and put their participation in the next Champions League in the safe, reaching +11 on the green-and-whites when there are only two days left to play.

Targets

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The stake at Villamarin weighs as much for the hosts as it is for the Catalans. The first in full race for a place in the Champions or Europa League but with the risk of remaining even with the match in hand for the pressing of the Real Sociedad, the second instead one step away from the mathematical qualification in the Champions League and with a second place to lock on Seville. This may be why the rhythms are immediately possessed, with a Betis committed to attacking an orphaned defense of Piqué (season in all probability ended after the injury suffered with Mallorca) and Ter Stegen (victim of an intestinal virus) with his head down. . The Blaugrana suffer from the high pace imposed by the Andalusians, but Xavi can count on a perky and enterprising Gavi as usual and a brilliant Depay that shows a good understanding with Ferran Torres.

One two

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Pellegrini did not have time to enjoy Bartra’s return to the center of defense who, after just 15 minutes, had to give up Claudio Bravo, the victim of a muscle problem. But Rui Silva is immediately ready in the 20 ‘by touching just enough to save himself from a header by Araujo with the help of the crossbar. The game thus ignites, also because Barça engages by responding blow for blow: after two flames from Borja and Juanmi, here is Ferran Torres and a sharp blow from Dembélé. Then a poisonous right by Guido Rodriguez that equalized the score of the woods, another attempt by Borja and, on the other hand, a powerful right from Depay deflected in good style by Rui Silva. The frantic back and forth was interrupted at the beginning of the second half, because the impetus of Betis forces the Catalans to struggle for about twenty minutes, with Neto prodigious on Juanmi and Canales. Xavi’s troops find the key to reverse course and change gears only in the last 20 ‘, thanks also to the entrances of Aubameyang, Traoré and above all Ansu Fati. The Blaugrana jewel has yet to find the match rhythm and the right confidence, but the nose is still there and it shows it just two minutes after entering the field: control and shot from the edge that slips into the corner to the right of Rui Silva for the guest benefit. Too bad for Xavi and company that the joy does not last long, about two minutes, those necessary for Bartra to sign the immediate equalizer thanks to a header from the center of the area that returns to ignite the Villamarin audience.

On the wool thread

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In the end, Andalusians protagonists of a real siege on the door of Neto, who trembles on a header by Pezzella and yet another thrust by Borja Iglesias. But Barça still has the last shot in the barrel and takes advantage of it when Betis thinks it’s over: last action of the match, change of game by Dani Alves for Jordi Alba and tremendous blow that leaves Rui Silva no way out for the final 2- 1 Catalan who certifies the European qualification and puts a good mortgage on second place.