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La Liga | Gameweek 17
Feb 1, 2023 at 8pm UK
Estadio Benito Villamarín
BL
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Betis
1 - 2
Barcelona

Kounde (85' og.)
Ruibal (65'), Guardado (67'), Felipe (69')
Carvalho (90+5')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Raphinha (65'), Lewandowski (80')

Xavi delighted with Barcelona performance against Real Betis

:Headline: Xavi delighted with Barcelona performance against Real Betis:
Barcelona boss Xavi praises his players for overcoming Real Betis in La Liga on Wednesday night.
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Xavi delighted with Barcelona performance against Real Betis

Barcelona boss Xavi has paid tribute to his players for navigating their way through a difficult clash with Real Betis to move eight points clear at the top of the La Liga table.

The Catalan outfit made it nine straight wins in all competitions on Wednesday evening, recording a 2-1 victory over Real Betis in Seville.

Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski were on the scoresheet for Barcelona, before Real Betis secured a late consolation through an own goal from Jules Kounde.

Barcelona are now eight points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who will be bidding to return to winning ways in the league when they host Valencia on Thursday night.

Xavi has said that his side "controlled" the match, with the manager pleased with all aspects of the team's performance.

Xavi delighted with Barcelona performance against Real Betis

"We played a great game. We controlled till the end and we knew how to dominate the midfield. We created many chances and played one of our best performances especially because we were at a very difficult stadium," Xavi told reporters on Wednesday night.

"We are leaders and eight points off the second-placed team, who have a game in hand. But we are solid in defence, and good in many moments of the game.

"We are working well, we are on the right track. I see the team competing and enjoying many moments. I can see that they are hungry for success. The team is doing well and that, for me, says a lot. We played against a great team and we played a very brilliant game."

Lewandowski was back in the starting side after a three-game absence in La Liga through suspension, and the Poland international managed to score his 14th league goal of the campaign.

"Lewandowski is a striker of high calibre. He's a natural goalscorer who always makes a difference," Xavi added.

The Barcelona manager also hailed the team's other goalscorer Raphinha, who was linked with a move away from Camp Nou during the January transfer window.

There were claims that the Brazil international could depart the club in the winter window after losing his regular starting role, but Ousmane Dembele's recent injury has again opened up a spot in the first XI.

"Raphinha played a very good game. He presses, runs, and makes the difference, like Lewandowski, who has scored again and always works for the team," said Xavi.

Barcelona will be bidding to continue their impressive run of form when they welcome Sevilla to Camp Nou on Sunday night. body check tags ::

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid24156352232951
2Atletico MadridAtletico24148239162350
3Barcelona23153564253948
4Athletic Bilbao24129337211645
5Villarreal24118547351241
6Rayo Vallecano239862724335
7Mallorca24104102330-734
8Real BetisBetis248883031-132
9Osasuna2471162933-432
10GironaGirona2494113235-331
11Real Sociedad2494112023-331
12Sevilla248792934-531
13Getafe247982018230
14Celta Vigo2485113538-329
15Espanyol2466122336-1324
16Leganes2459102235-1324
17Las PalmasLas Palmas2465132941-1223
18Valencia2458112538-1323
19AlavesAlaves2457122838-1022
20Real ValladolidValladolid2443171552-3715
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