FC Barcelona closed their home season with a solid victory over Real Betis, winning 3-1 in the penultimate round of LaLiga. This result confirms a remarkable fact: the Blaugrana have achieved a perfect record at the Spotify Camp Nou, collecting 57 out of 57 possible points at home. Xavi Hernández's team showed control of the match, with goals from Raphinha, Lewandowski, and an own goal by Miranda, while Betis pulled one back with a goal from Borja Iglesias.
The game system that secured the fortress defense 🏰
Barça has based its home dominance on a tactical scheme that prioritizes high pressing and quick ball recovery. Xavi has implemented a variant of the 4-3-3 with very attacking full-backs, such as Balde and Koundé, who generate numerical superiority in attack. In defense, the central duo formed by Araujo and Christensen has been key, with an average of 1.2 goals conceded per home game. The average possession of 65% and effectiveness in transitions have allowed the team to maintain control against rivals like Betis, who barely managed three shots on target in the second half.
Betis came for the raincoat and left in their shirtsleeves 🌧️
Real Betis arrived at Camp Nou with the intention of raining on Barça's parade, but they found a team that doesn't even forgive their grandmother's birthday. Pellegrini's men tried to press, but ended up watching Raphinha dance circles around them and Lewandowski remind them that his scoring average is no coincidence. Sure, at least Borja Iglesias polished the result so their defeat cold wouldn't show as much. Basically, they came with umbrellas and left soaked to the bone.