FC Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the LaLiga standings to eight points after defeating Real Betis 2-1 on Wednesday night.
LaLiga
Result: Real Betis 1-2 Barcelona
Date: 01 February 2023
Venue: Estadio Benito Villamarín
Blaugrana were boosted by the return from suspension of both Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the latter started from the bench but they were without Ousmane Dembele due to injury as Pedri was recalled, which meant Gavi was pushed further in attack.
Manuel Pellegrini's charges made their intentions clear to compete in the early exchanges as Luiz Henrique had a threatening deflected shot that flashed just wide of the near post.
The Catalan giants took time to get into their passing rhythm and when they did, they were just not clicking in the last third, with Lewandowski particularly isolated.
However, Xavi's men had a good attacking spell towards the end of the first stanza as Pedri had a chance from a rebound in the box and fired a strike that was blocked by goalkeeper Rui Silva with his legs.
Blaugrana were quick off the blocks from the break as Pedri came close to breaking the deadlock with a strike in the box that was parried wide by Silva.
Barca's pressure eventually paid off on 65 minutes after Raphinha had no issues tucking home a cross by Alejandro Balde, who did all the work with his run on the left, from close range.
Betis made a number of substitutions and were caught cold with ten minutes to go, as Lewandowski doubled the lead for Barca with a quick reaction finish in the box after a flick by Ronald Araujo from a corner.
The home side were fired up to get back into the game and quickly got a goal back six minutes later after Jules Kounde deflected Youssouf Sabaly's cross into his own net.
Xavi closed the game immediately thereafter with the introduction of Franck Kessie in place of Pedri, as Barca held on to extend their lead over Real Madrid to eight points, although Carlo Ancelotti's charges are in action on Thursday.
