[ad_1]
Six-time world footballer Lionel Messi was initially put on the bench by Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman in the home game against Betis Sevilla, but became the winner of the match after being substituted. In the 5: 2 (1: 1) of the Catalans, the Argentine only came into play at the beginning of the second half, began the change of course and hit the 61st with a penalty hand and in the 82nd minute.
Former Dortmund Ousmane Dembélé (minute 22) had made it 1-0 for FC Barcelona. His French compatriot Antoine Griezmann missed Claudio Bravo (33rd) with a penalty, then Antonio Sanabria (45th + 2) leveled for the Andalusians to make it 1-1.
At the start of the second half, Griezmann scored (49th) before Messi also entered the scorers list for the first time: 3-1. Aïssa Mandi saw red in the period prior to the penalty kick (60th). Loren (73rd) approached Betis again before Messi made the decision with his second goal. The last point was Pedri (90º).
“We’re not talking about an injury, it’s just not recent enough,” Koeman’s assistant Alfred Schreuder, a former TSG Hoffenheim coach, said in a pre-game television interview. Messi, 33, has played a lot of games lately, Schreuder said, “that’s why Koeman decided he would stay out for now.”
The match was overshadowed by the injury of the shooting star Ansu Fati. As the club announced after the game, the 18-year-old suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee. It is not yet clear how long the Spanish international will be out.
In the League, FC Barcelona has only scored eleven points in seven games and is already five points behind Real Madrid and six behind leaders Real Sociedad, who have played one more game. In the Champions League, however, the Catalans won all three of their previous group matches.
