Real Betis became the first side to score four at the Camp Nou in league play since 2003, and the Seville-based club registered its first victory at the legendary stadium in two decades during Sunday’s rip-roaring 4-3 encounter in Catalonia.
Betis raced to a 2-0 first half lead, and every time Barcelona managed to pull a goal back in the second half, the Béticos found a response.
When Lionel Messi broke his arm against Sevilla back on Oct. 20, the prognosis was that he’d need three weeks to recover. By the time Barcelona hosts Real Betis on Sunday, that timeframe will’ve been achieved. But will Messi actually suit up for the Blaugrana with the assurance of November’s international break directly following the game, giving Messi an extra two weeks of rehabilitation before the titanic clash with Atlético Madrid at the Wanda on Nov. 24?
The match was always going to be a draw — that would put Barcelona on the cusp of passage to the Round of 16, and that would be enough for Internazionale to put Tottenham firmly in the rearview mirror.
And so it was a draw.
Inter constantly put nine defenders behind the ball, leaving Mauro Icardi to halfheartedly pressure Gerard Pique while Radja Nainggolan played the role of attacking midfielder in name only, but things didn’t go exactly to plan for Luciano Spalletti's men.
It’s been 11 days since Lionel Messi broke his right arm against Sevilla during Barcelona’s 4-2 LaLiga victory, an injury that ruled the Argentine star out for three weeks.