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Flick taking it game by game as Barca prepares for Betis test

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, April 4, 2025
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MADRID, April 4 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick will be forced into making changes to his team as the non-stop fixture calendar continues with a difficult La Liga game at home to Betis.

Barca qualified for the Copa del Rey final after an intense and bruising encounter away to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night and although the win keeps hopes of a treble alive, it also took its toll on the players.

Central defender Pau Cubarsi was substituted before the hour, while Inigo Martinez ended up with cramp, making both doubtful to start against Betis.

Meanwhile Raphinha went into the game as a slight doubt and was the victim of two bad challenges from Cesar Azpilicueta and Rodrigo de Paul, which left their marks on his calf and foot.

Lamine Yamal also ended on Wednesday bleeding from his ankle after being caught late by Atletico defender Clement Lenglet and Flick will have to consider resting the 17-year-old, especially with a Champions League quarter-final at home to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

"We have to focus on our next game," commented Flick in his pre-game press conference on Friday.

"It's all very well to focus on the treble, but you shouldn't focus too much on dreams ... We are battling to win everything, but my job is to ensure the players are at their best in every game," he said, before warning that Betis will be a difficult rival.

"We have the quality to win matches, but tomorrow will be complicated," warned the Barca coach.

The club had some good news on Wednesday with Spain's Higher Sport's Committee ruling that Dani Olmo and Pau Victor can continue to play, despite La Liga insisting their inclusion in the squad breaches financial fair-play rules.

Betis travels to Barca after losing 5-1 in the Copa del Rey earlier in the year, but turning its form around with six consecutive La Liga wins, including a 2-1 derby success against Sevilla last weekend, putting the team into the race to qualify for next season's Champions League, with players such as Antony and Jesus Rodriguez impressing in attack.

With the two teams directly above them (Villarreal and Athletic Club) playing each other on Sunday, and a home game against Villarreal next weekend, this is Betis' chance to close in on a place in next season's Champions League. Enditem

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