KEY POINTS
- Barcelona defeated Real Betis in the semi-final
- Barca are also at the top of the league table
- Barca lost to Real Madrid in the Super Cup semi-final last season
FC Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has admitted he made a “mistake” in his side’s latest win over Real Betis in the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona defeated Real Betis 4-2 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw after extra time, and progressed to the final of this season’s Spanish Super Cup.
Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barcelona in the first half before Betis midfielder Nabil Fekir equalized in the 77th minute. Barcelona winger Ansu Fati came off the bench with four minutes left in the normal time, but he didn’t waste much time to create an impact. Fati’s 93rd-minute strike put Barcelona back in the lead. Real Betis forced the match into a penalty shootout as they successfully found an equalizer in the 101st minute.
Fati could have scored more for Barcelona in the final minutes if not for the reflexes of Real Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. After the match, Xavi said he should have introduced the Spaniard playmaker earlier in the match.
“I should have subbed Ansu on sooner. It was my mistake. He’s in good shape and I’m glad for him,” Xavi told reporters after the match ended in Riyadh.
He also heaped praise on Barcelona shot-stopper Marc-André ter Stegen, who made a few incredible saves against Real Betis.
“He makes a difference. I’m delighted with him. He’s the icing on the cake. For two penalties and the final. Let’s compete and win it,” added Xavi.
AFP / LLUIS GENE
Barcelona will now take on El Classico rivals Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup at the King Fahd International Stadium on Sunday.
About facing their arch-rivals, Xavi said, “I always want to play and beat the best. I think Real Madrid right now is one of the best.”
Defending champions Real Madrid, who defeated Barcelona in the semi-final last season, have more worries going into the upcoming final. Los Blancos will be without key players David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni for three weeks. It looks like defender Lucas Vazquez will also be ruled out after suffering an injury against Valencia earlier this week.
Last week, Real Madrid suffered a shocking defeat to Villarreal and fell back in the La Liga race. They are now three points behind leaders Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid have also been struggling in front of the goal, having scored just two goals from open play since their return from the World Cup break.
