Lewandowski struck on the return, but Barca dropped points again in La Liga

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 equalizer to secure a 2-2 draw -2.

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

Giovani Lo Celso equalized with a 68th-minute penalty after Frenkie de Jong was sent off for bringing down former Barca team-mate Vitor Roque, and Barcelona later accused the officials of “taking forever” for an “extremely ambiguous” decision.

LEVI BALL HAS DONE IT AGAIN.#BetisBarca | Highlights from #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/CpWfbvt5bc

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024

Betis-Barcelona: Throw a red card

De Jong’s manager Hansi Flick was also sent off in protest, although there was better news for the German when Ferran Torres restored the visitors’ lead with a shot from Lamine Yamal’s clever pass with eight minutes remaining.

Asane Diao’s superb first-time finish from Aitor Ruibal’s delivery denied Flick an extra-time victory and gave second-placed Real Madrid another boost, who are now five points clear at the top with two games in hand at the leaders.

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

Tremendous save by Ignacy PeñaHighlights from #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/okrdz5TsPJ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024

Click “not proud” on the send

“We have quality, so that’s our problem,” Flick added. “(We showed) very slow passing, very long balls. And we don’t want that. “It’s not one of our strong points.”

Flick declined to talk about the trial and said he does not plan to appeal his sentence. “I don’t think I complained much,” he added.

“It took a long time to look and if it takes you that long, it’s because maybe it wasn’t.” I am not proud of myself; (The assistants) said something to the referee and they decided to give me the red card.”

Full time #BetisBarca pic.twitter.com/3lT1NUHfq4

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024

Barcelona results, table

Flick said he was glad November ended after Barca’s win in Mallorca, after seeing his side thrash 4-0 in Madrid on October 26 with four points from a possible 12 in the league over the following month.

However, their patchy form continued in Sevilla, with third-placed Atletico Madrid now six points behind them with two games in hand, albeit with an 11-goal deficit.

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 away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday (8pm).