SETTABLOID

A surprising statistic surrounding the production of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has come to the fore on Wednesday evening.

This comes owing to the Spaniard’s latest performance in Blaugrana colours.

Barca, of course, were back in action a short time ago, welcoming Real Betis to Catalunya’s capital for a Copa del Rey Last-16 clash.

Lamine, for his part, featured from the off, in his customary berth on the right flank.

And, en route to an eventual 5-1 Barcelona rout, the 17-year-old dazzled once more.

After laying on an assist for Jules Koundé to put Hansi Flick’s troops two goals to the good during the first-half, Lamine then turned goalscorer himself, rounding out the hosts’ scoring courtesy of a left-footed strike 15 minutes from time.

Pau Cubarsi says Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal “deserves everything” after another stellar performance for the Catalans against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey.

The 17-year-old scored and assisted in the game as Hansi Flick’s side followed up their Super Cup win by crushing Real Betis at Montjuic.

Barcelona now head into another hectic week with Getafe up next in La Liga followed by a Champions League clash with Benfica.

A sensational FC Barcelona performance sees Hansi Flick’s team completely play Real Betis out of the park. With this victory, La Blaugrana now reach the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. However, beyond just the massive scoreline, Barcelona simply played some of the most beautiful football that they have put on display this season.

Ultimately, however, the scoreline was a justified one as well. With a 5-1 demolition at the Montjuic Stadium, goals from Gavi, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal came together to give Betis a thorough thrashing. Across the field, however, the Barcelona players were simply fantastic from back to front.

Inaki Pena: 7.5

Despite being a bit rushed in his distribution and positioning at the start, Inaki Pena slowly regained his composure. Made an excellent point-blank save in the first half to deny Vitor Roque, and remained solid in the second half as well.

Jules Kounde: 9.0

Sensational performance from the Frenchman, who continues to show that his offensive contributions are worth noting as much as his defensive ones. A spectacularly taken finish in the first half gave Barcelona their second goals and it was followed up with an even better finish before the half-time whistle, but it was ruled offside for the smallest of margins. Unfortunately, he did give up a penalty near the end that he was rather unlucky to concede.

Ronald Araujo: 8.0

The Uruguayan defender comes off the back of some news suggesting that his stay at Barcelona will continue, and he delivered a great performance to validate the faith that the club seems to have in him. Strong display, and he left the pitch having conceded zero goals from Real Betis.

Pau Cubarsi: 8.0

Quick-thinking, defensively solid, and always in the right position, Pau Cubarsi was simply a nuisance for Real Betis to deal with. Never under pressure and never seemed to let the opponents force him into a mistake, and often times ended up breaking apart Betis’s structure with his own passes.

Gerard Martin: 8.0

Unlike his earlier performances in the season, Gerard Martin has turned himself into a real asset for Hansi Flick. Much more solid defensively now, and continues to improve his offensive contributions as well, it was a solid outing from the Spaniard.

Frenkie de Jong: 7.0

Unlike his partners in midfield, Frenkie de Jong had a rather quiet game. More focused on retaining the structure of the team, he did his part in holding the fort down and ensuring that his team remained in control whenever the ball passes through his zone.

Pedri: 9.0

Ran the entire game for Barcelona basically, and controlled almost every single proceeding within the match. From the passes that opened up the Real Betis defense to give Barcelona their goals, to the recoveries and control of the ball that allowed Hansi Flick’s team to settle their nerves, the Spaniard was the focal point in everything.

Gavi: 8.5

Opened the scoring for Barcelona and remained a threat throughout his time on the field. Always eager to press the opponents and make sure that they are uncomfortable, it was a great display from the young Spaniard.

Lamine Yamal: 9.5

Simply unplayable, and Real Betis could not seem to understand what to do about him. His dribbling was once again pristine, and every touch and trick he used from up his sleeve seemed to leave Real Betis defenders in the dust. Beyond just the sensational assist he provided to Jules Kounde for his goal, he continued to create chance after chance for his teammates. Ended up grabbing a goal for himself as well later on, completing a top performance.

Dani Olmo: 8.0

A few decent chances came his way during the first half but the Spaniard was unable to capitalize and finish them off. However, his creative side really seemed to shine through, as he ended the game with two assists to his name.

Raphinha: 8.0

Had a quiet first half despite putting in a shift and doing his best to help out the team. In the second half, however, the Brazilian winger had his moment as he finished a great chance through the Real Betis goalkeeper’s legs before coming off.

Substitutes:

Eric Garcia: 6.5

Came on for Ronald Araujo and did his duty well in terms of helping out the backline and restricting the opposition forwards as much as possible.

Ferran Torres: 7.5

Came on and had a near instant impact. Scored the fourth goal of the night for Barcelona with a well taken finish past the Real Betis goalkeeper.

Fermin Lopez: 6.5

Energetic and always there to help out his teammates, he was the right man to bring on for the later stages of the game.

Pau Victor: N/A

Not enough time or influence on the pitch to warrant a rating.

Pablo Torre: N/A

Ansu Fati remains a contentious issue at Barcelona. The Spanish international has been excluded from the squad for the third consecutive game by Hansi Flick, with the latest omission occurring for tonight’s match against Real Betis.

The 22-year-old La Masia forward finds himself sidelined at the club with the manager no longer having a clear role for him.

As reported earlier today, Fati remains keen on staying at Barcelona despite the situation, but is facing pressure from the club, the staff, as well as some people from his own entourage to consider a January exit.

Barcelona want Fati out to create space for Rashford

Building on that, Matteo Moretto reports that Barcelona are indeed now encouraging Ansu to leave the club in the ongoing transfer window for two reasons: to find the minutes and rhythm he will not get under Flick and to make room for Marcus Rashford.

However, Fati’s potential move is complicated by his high salary – one of the most substantial in the squad – and his preference thus far to stay.

As previously reported, Rashford is a key target for Barcelona this January. The English forward is pushing for an exit from Manchester United, and talks have already begun, with this week being pivotal for further progress.

Rashford’s arrival would further diminish Fati’s chances, prompting Barcelona to intensify efforts to find a new home for the No. 10.

Decision time for Ansu

Fati has only accumulated 186 minutes this season, with one start and no goal or assist to show for. As such, he faces a crucial decision: stay and risk a lost season or leave to revive his career.

However, as mentioned earlier, an exit is not easy to secure. While there is interest from La Liga clubs, there are obstacles to a transfer such as his high salary, which no Spanish club is likely to afford, and his reluctance to consider a move.

 

Barcelona winger Raphinha has named the club he thinks could stop his side from winning the 2024/25 Champions League.

Raphinha, 28, has been a standout player during Hansi Flick’s first season in charge of the La Liga side.

The Brazilian has registered 19 goals and 11 assists in 27 appearances for Barca this season and has made clear that his side have ambitions of clinching their sixth European crown, having last won the Champions League against Juventus back in 2015.

Barca are currently second in the 36-team Champions League group phase, sporting an impressive record of five wins and just one defeat in six games which will likely see them progress to the round of 16.

The Barcelona skipper has already made clear that his side will “fight” for this year’s Champions League.

He backed his side to go all the way to the final, which will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany in May.

But he conceded that Manchester City could be their opponent. Raphinha gave his thoughts in an interview with Adri Conteras.

La Liga giants Barcelona have on Wednesday been afforded some fresh, and altogether positive news on the personnel front.

This comes amid confirmation that a verbal agreement has been reached, over the renewal of defender Ronald Araújo’s contract.

The name of Uruguayan international Araújo has of course dominated the headlines in Catalunya’s capital over the course of the day to date.

This comes after word was forthcoming that, out of the blue, the 25-year-old had gone back on his decision to depart, in favour of staying put with Hansi Flick’s squad.

And such news has since been swiftly followed by yet more of a positive nature for all of a Blaugrana persuasion.

As per a report from the reliable Fabrizio Romano, ahead of the expiration of his current terms in the summer of 2026:

‘Ronald Araújo has agreed in principle on new contract at Barcelona. Positive talks took place between the player and Barça director Deco, fully involved in the process.’

While thinking about the sheer efficiency of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, it is important to address the proficiency of certain player profiles that decide the height of its potency.

A number of players do come to mind – a runner in Raphinha, a lethal target-man in Robert Lewandowski, a creator supreme in Lamine Yamal and an anchor in Marc Casado.

But after looking at Barcelona’s performances this season, it is evident how none of them would be able to contribute as much as they do without a controller general in Pedri Gonzalez.

As high-tempo as Flick’s football is, Pedri is the link across the pitch that keeps the side ticking and in control.

Such high is his impact, that games where Pedri doesn’t see much of the ball or is lost between the end-to-end chaos that characteristically creeps into Barcelona’s performance these days, the team looks deft of all composure.

In fact, the strings he continues to pull this season come from a rather unfamiliar territory, earning deserved plaudits for his performances in this Barcelona side.

Once again operating at a high level after a few injury-plagued seasons, Pedri once again finds himself in shouts for the crown of the best midfielder in the world.

It is a recognition that fans of the club have come to rejoice and one that is starting to dawn upon those of the opposition as they are left bedazzled by the magic he wields by the ball at his feet.