MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 06:45:57| >> :120:16866:16866:
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Attendance: 79,160
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 2
Aug 25, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Real Betis logo

5-2

Griezmann (41', 50'), Perez (56'), Alba (60'), Vidal (77')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Fekir (15'), Moron (79')

Barcelona coach Valverde praises Griezmann after win over Real Betis

Barcelona coach Valverde praises Griezmann after win over Real Betis
© Reuters
The Frenchman scored two and set up another in the victory.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said Antoine Griezmann "reacted perfectly" to the call of duty, scoring twice as the side beat Real Betis 5-2.

The Frenchman was unable to find the net in his Barca debut as the side went down 1-0 to Athletic Bilbao – and Valverde called for Griezmann to be more involved in the game at the Nou Camp.

The World Cup winner duly responded with a brace and an assist as Barcelona – without injured Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele – came from behind to secure all three points.

Valverde, quoted in Marca, said: "I have to recognise that it was an important day for him due to the injuries we had. He reacted perfectly,

"He dropped into the midfield to help and he made an impact. We know that if attacking players track back, we have a better chance of winning."

The home side found themselves a goal down early on when Nabil Fekir opened his account for Betis on 15 minutes but Griezmann equalised shortly before half-time and curled in a superb second early in the second half which had Suarez and Messi beaming their approval.

Goals from Carles Perez and Jordi Alba made sure of the points before Griezmann – signed for more than £100m – set up substitute Arturo Vidal for the fifth, although the best, and last, goal of the night was a 25-yard screamer from Betis' Loren Moron.

Speaking after the game to the club's website, Griezmann said: "Well, this is a tricky stadium for me. There's not many in Spain where I haven't scored and this was one of them.

"So I'm really happy for the goals, the way the team played and for the atmosphere.

"I know that people are expecting a lot of me, my first game wasn't great so I just wanted another game to come along."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913

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