Barcelona delivered a dominant performance in the Copa del Rey, defeating Real Betis 5-1 in the round of 16. The win propelled Barcelona into the quarter-finals, with a standout display under German coach Hansi Flick. The match was a brilliant one for Barcelona, showcasing their attacking strength and tactical efficiency.
Following the match, Flick praised young star Lamine Yamal for his extraordinary performance, calling him “the amazing magician.” Yamal was central to Barcelona’s creativity, playing a key role in the team’s comprehensive victory and their qualification for the next round. Flick also highlighted the impressive performances of the attacking duo Olmo and Araujo in defense, signaling their importance in future big matches.
The coach’s decision to bench Robert Lewandowski and Enigo Maritz, allowing for a more advanced pressing game, proved crucial, contributing to Barcelona’s high-intensity performance. However, Flick also expressed frustration over certain refereeing decisions, particularly the controversial disallowing of a legal goal by Barcelona’s Condi. Flick called on club president Joan Laporta to intervene and protect Barcelona from what he described as the “oppression of the Liga rulers” and referee decisions that could undermine the team’s progress.
