Barca Player Rating against Real Betis

Valdes - 7.5 - Played his part well. Produced some excellent stops to keep Barca in the game. Couldn't do anything about the goals as his defense let him down. Still felt a bit confused coming from his line to claim long balls; but is proving again and again that in one on one situation he is the best in the world.

Alves - 6 - A real off day in both defense and attack. His killing crosses were missing throughout the match and failed to hold the left flank.

Pique - 5 - Worst of the center backs. His habit of committing early for challenges is becoming a head ache.

Caceres - 6 - Better of the two Center defenders. Wasn't confident but produced some essential stoppings. Was at fault for the first goal.

Abidal - 6.5 - Better of all the defenders. It's good to see he getting back to his best. May not have went forward that much but still was confident in defense. He should have tried to support Iniesta on the left in the first half. (I actually missed Abidal in my first write up, Thanks PEP for pointing this out)

Xavi - 6.5 - Not a great game from the midfield general. But he wasn't helped by a poor Busquets and Keita.

Busquets - 5 - Worst match of this season for the youngster. Didn't look assured. Got frustrated as game progressed.

Keita - 5.5 - Very poor game but it is normal as he is coming back from Injury.

Hleb - 3 - Pathetic game. Never contributed anything in attack; never tracked back to help defense. Was standing simply at the edge of box leabing Mark Goanzalez unmarked for the second goal.

Eto - 8 - Great game. Found his touch once again. The second goal was pure class. But it will be betetr he give the penalty taking job to Messi and Xavi. Pathetic penalty kick.

Iniesta - 8 - Was a constant threat throughout the match. Created the fist goal. Had some great run from the left.

Substitutes : Henry(7), Messi (6) and Bojan (6.5).

Man Of The Match - Ricardo (Betis' Goal Keeper)

Barca Struggles at Betis; Betis-2, Barca-2

Real Madrid would looking tonight to cut Barca's lead to 10 points after the Blaugrana outfit failed to win their match against Real Betsi. Real Betis took a two goal early lead in the first half; FC Barcelona has never managed to come from two goals behind this season, that's because nobody manage to go 2 up against the Catalan club. Two goals from Eto made sure that Barca increased their lead to 13 points and made sure that Barca extended their unbeaten run in league by one more match. It has to be seen how this below par performance is going to affect the team's morale this season. For me it serves as another wake up call; and the fact of the matter still remains that Guardiola chose an unorthodox starting eleven against Real Betis. Valdes kept guard of the goal; Abidal and Alves played their full back roles. But in the centre of defense Guardiola decided to partner Caceres and Pique for the first time in the league. The midfield was a combination of Xavi, Keita and Busquets. Iniesta, Eto and Hleb formed the front trio. The decision to rest most of the players who were out for international duties was a good decision as far as I am concerned. But Guardiola made the biggest mistake of not including Toure as DM especially ahead of an inexperienced Centre back formation.

Real Betis started the first half confidently. They started taking control of the game early on; some stupid ball distribution from barca's defense and midfield helped their cause. In the 7th minute Xavi saw his shot from outside the box go wide. In the 18th minute Betis went 1-0 up when Melli rose above Busquets to head home from a corner. FC Barcelona failed to find an answer to the Real Betis goal and the only player who looked dangerous was Iniesta. Then in the 25th minute Barca went 2-0 down for the first time in the season. Ex-Barca player Garcia's long cross from the right found Mark Gonzalez who was left unmarked by Alves and Hleb. Mark Gonzalez finished of the formality with a great finish to the far left corner of goal. Mean while all the Barcelona answer was coming from Iniesta. In the 32nd minute Iniesta and Eto combined to produce a great one two move but Eto's final shot was blocked by Goal keeper Ricardo, who was going to have a very busy game. In the injury time of first half Iniesta won us a penalty when he was brought down in the box by Juande. Eto took the penalty kick, his first shot was parried by Riocardo but luckily the rebound fell to Eto who converted well. That goal was crucial as Barca could not afford to go to break with a two goal deficit.

The second half started the exact way as the first half with Real Betis raiding barca goal again and again. In the 50th minute everybody thought Oliveira had put Betis 3-1 ahead from a great counter attacking move. But Oliveira was judged rightly offside, but it puzzles me why he wen ahead of the defense rather than stay with them. If that goal was awarded we would have been in deep trouble. In the 51st minute Eto shot agonisingly wide after turning well to get rid of his marker. In the 54th minute Emana had a great chance to increase Betis's lead but Valdes stood up to the task; they key to Valdes save was that he didn't commit himself. In the 57th minute Guardiola made a double substitution as expected, Messi coming in for Hleb and Henry in for Keita. In the 60th minute Henry's hsot was deflected to goal by Betis defender but Ricardo who was adamant today pulled another brilliant save. In the 72nd minute Ricardo pull off another save to deny Iniesta after an excellent lay off by Eto. In the 73rd minute Valdes pulls of another save of Oliveira to keep Barca in the game. In the 79th minute Ricardo produced another excellent save to deny Henry. In the 81st minute Guardiola took off Busquets and brought in Bojan. In the 82nd minute Ricardo again blocked another great shot from this time Pique of an Alves corner. Then in the 84th minute Eto finally manage to put the ball in the net two drew Barca on level with Betis. Eto used the run from Messi as a decoy and dragged three defenders along with and then cuts inside and shoots past Ricardo.

This one was an excellent game. We may have dropped two points but this still is a great point. Everyone expected marquez to start after Guardiola said that he don't want any excuses from players. But I still like the decision to put theose two youngsters at the defense; but as I mentioned with the absence of Toure Caceres and Pique didn't have a cover and they panicked regularly. Pique for me had a very bad night, his habit of commiting early to challenges could prove harmful. Then he is still learning thetrade. The most dissappointing player was Hleb who never looked to be in the game. Keita did struggle but then he just came back from injury.

Real Betis vs Barca Preview

Guardiola had made it clear to his players that he is not going to accept any excuses about International duty for any below par performnace against Real Betis. FC Barcelona will be looking to notch up a eleventh consecutive victory when they play Betis tonight. FC barcelona would not be with their influential captain Puyol; Guardiola has very wisely decided against risking his captain. This means Marquez has to hold the defense tonight after returning back from North America. And Guardiola has made it clear that he don't want to hear any excuse of Jet lag or International duties. Guardiola has announced the squad for tonight - Valdés, Pinto, Alves, Marquez, Piqué, Caceres, Abidal, Sylvinho, Toure, Busquets, Xavi, Keita, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Hleb, Messi, Bojan, Eto'o, Henry. Keita is back after the injury and could feature in the starting line up tonight. In the last match against Betis at Camp Nou we won with a narrow margin after spectacularly Barca managing to throw away the game.

Xavi would be equalling the Charly Rexach's record for second most first team appearance for Barca, if he gets a chance to play tonight. Valdes will be the regular goal keeper. Alves, Pique, Marquez and Abidal would be expected to form the defense. Xavi, Toure and Keita is expected to form the midfield. I expect Henry to start from bench tonight, that means Iniesta will occupy the left, with Eto in centre and Messi on the right. It is essential to play Iniesta in tonight's match as it will continue his return back to fitness and form. Betis are lying at 14th currently but at home this could become a tricky challenge for Barca. But if we manage to win here that will put enormous pressure on Madrid as they have to win to keep their title hopes alive.