Lewandowski goal on return but Barca drop points again in La Liga - sportsnewsfoot

Robert Lewandowski’s 23rd goal in 21 club games this season was not enough to prevent Barcelona from dropping points for the fourth time in five La Liga games as hosts Real Betis scored a 94th-minute equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw.

Striker Lewandowski, who was left out for the first time this season and remained an unused substitute as Barca won 5-1 at Mallorca on Tuesday, slotted in from Jules Kounde’s right-wing cross to give his side a 39th-minute lead at the Benito Villamarin Stadium.

Giovani Lo Celso equalised with a penalty in the 68th minute after Frenkie de Jong was sent off for bringing down former Barca teammate Vitor Roque, with Barcelona later accusing the officials of “taking an eternity” over an “extremely ambiguous” decision.

LEWY BALL DOES IT AGAIN.#BetisBarça | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/CpWfbvt5bc

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024

Betis vs Barcelona: Flick red card

De Jong’s manager, Hansi Flick, was also sent off for protesting, although there was better news for the German when Ferran Torres restored the visitors’ lead by firing in from Lamine Yamal’s clever pass eight minutes from time.

Assane Diao’s excellent first-time finish from Aitor Ruibal’s delivery denied Flick’s side victory during added time and gave another boost to second-placed Real Madrid, who are now five points off the top with two games in hand on the leaders.

“We didn’t play a good game,” said Flick, via AS. “We are a young team and we have to improve. When we play away, we have to be stronger.”

Tremendous save by Iñaki Peña 🛑#LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/okrdz5TsPJ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024

Flick ‘not proud’ of sending off

“We have the quality, so it’s our problem,” added Flick. “[We displayed] very slow passing, lots of long balls. And we don’t want that. It’s not one of our strengths.”

Flick refused to talk about the officiating and said he did not plan to appeal against his punishment. “I don’t think I’ve complained much,” he added.

“It took a long time to look at it and if you need so much time, it’s because maybe it wasn’t. I’m not proud of myself; [the assistant officials] said something to the referee and they decided to give me the red card.”

Full Time #BetisBarça pic.twitter.com/3lT1NUHfq4

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024

Barcelona results, table

Flick had said he was glad November was over after Barca’s win at Mallorca, having seen his side follow up a 4-0 win at Madrid on October 26 with four points from a possible 12 in the league during the month that followed.

Their patchy form continued in Seville, though, and third-placed Atletico Madrid are now six points behind them with two games in hand, albeit with an 11-goal inferiority.

Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, visit eighth-placed Girona at 8pm GMT on Saturday. Barcelona are next in action when they visit Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday (8pm).