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Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 32
Apr 29, 2023 at 8pm UK
Spotify Camp Nou
Real Betis logo

Barcelona
4 - 0
Betis

Christensen (14'), Lewandowski (36'), Raphinha (39'), Rodriguez (82' og.)
FT(HT: 3-0)

Gonzalez (24'), Pellegrini (35')

Barcelona handed double injury boost for Real Betis contest

Barcelona handed double injury boost for Real Betis contest
© Reuters
Barcelona boss Xavi names Ousmane Dembele and Andreas Christensen in his squad for Saturday's La Liga contest with Real Betis at Camp Nou.

Barcelona boss Xavi has named Ousmane Dembele and Andreas Christensen in his squad for Saturday's La Liga contest with Real Betis at Camp Nou.

Dembele has been on the sidelines since the end of January due to a hamstring injury, while Christensen has recently been absent due to a calf problem that he suffered while representing Denmark last month.

The pair have now fully recovered from their injury problems, though, with Xavi able to name both players in the squad for the contest with Manuel Pellegrini's side this weekend.

"The sensations were not good and the injury was in a striking area that was more difficult to heal. He is fine and happy. We'll see if we start him or use him as a substitute, but it's very important news for us," said the Barcelona head coach during his press conference when asked about Dembele.

"We have missed him. He is the best one-on-one player, there are few in the world like him. Ask the full-backs in La Liga who they prefer. He's a player with tremendous speed, he's a difference-maker. It's logical that we've missed him."

Real Betis's Aitor Ruibal in action with Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele on January 12, 2023© Reuters

Meanwhile, Xavi also expressed his delight at having Christensen available once again, telling reporters: "He is a personal signing of mine. I have a lot of faith and trust in him.

"He is always focused and is a player who is always aware of what is going on. It's great news. He's available and one hundred percent."

Pedri and Frenkie de Jong have also recently recovered from their injury problems, meaning that Sergi Roberto is currently the team's only first-team absentee.

Roberto is believed to be facing a battle to return before the end of the campaign due to the hamstring problem that he suffered in the goalless draw with Getafe on April 16.

There is another spot in the squad for 15-year-old Lamine Yamal, who was also included on the bench against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto on October 23, 2022© Reuters

Sergio Busquets was suspended for the 2-1 defeat to Rayo on Wednesday, but the club captain is also back in the squad for this match and is likely to return to the first XI.

Despite a wobble that has seen Barcelona win just one of their last four league matches, the Catalan side remain comfortably top of the table, 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

"Betis are a great team and they know what they are playing for. Physically they are strong and they have technical quality, at a very high level. We'll try to take the ball away from them and dominate," added Xavi. "We have to wipe the slate clean because we had the worst game of the season. Now we have another chance in La Liga."

Barcelona's final seven matches of the 2022-23 La Liga campaign are against Real Betis, Osasuna, Espanyol, Real Sociedad, Real Valladolid, Mallorca and Celta Vigo.

Barcelona squad vs. Real Betis:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Kounde, E Garcia, Balde, Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Araujo; Pedri, Gavi, Torre, Kessie, F de Jong, Busquets; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Raphinha, Yamal

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How you voted: Barcelona vs Betis

Barcelona
83.0%
Draw
11.0%
Real Betis
6.0%
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Barcelona coach Xavi reacts on March 19, 2023
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Villarreal35139135960-148
9Valencia34138133739-247
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
17Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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