Barcelona manager Hansi Flick emphasized the need for consistency after his team’s 2-2 draw with Real Betis in LaLiga, a result that leaves them vulnerable in the title race.
Despite taking the lead twice through Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barca were pegged back by goals from Giovani Lo Celso and substitute Assane Diao at the Benito Villamarín Stadium.
The draw leaves Barcelona atop the table with 38 points from 17 matches, but second-placed Real Madrid, with 33 points and two games in hand, could overtake them with consecutive wins. Flick expressed his disappointment with the performance, highlighting areas for improvement.
“It wasn’t a good game. We’re a young team and still have a lot to learn,” Hansi Flick told reporters. “We need to be stronger, especially in away games. We have the quality, but we must show it consistently.
Our passing was too slow, and we relied on long balls, which isn’t our strength. We need to focus on what we do best.”
The match saw further drama when Hansi Flick was shown a red card in the second half for protesting a controversial VAR decision. Frenkie de Jong was penalized for a tackle on Vitor Roque, leading to Betis being awarded a penalty.
Hansi Flick defended his actions, maintaining that his reaction was misinterpreted.
“I didn’t say anything to anyone,” Flick explained. “It was just my reaction to the delay in deciding if it was a penalty. If it takes so long, there’s room for doubt. I disagree with my sending-off—it’s never happened to me before.
But my assistant, Marcus, did a great job from the sidelines. We even scored with him in charge.”
Barcelona’s attention now shifts to a crucial Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund in Germany on Wednesday. They’ll return to LaLiga action on December 15, hosting Leganés at Camp Nou.