Real Betis inflict Xavis first loss as Barca manager ahead of Bayern test

Xavi Hernandez suffered his first defeat as Barcelona’s manager as Sergio Busquets and company lost to Real Betis 1-0 at Camp Nou on Saturday. 

Barcelona were on a two-game win streak and would have hoped to reach Allianz Arena next week with a win. But Betis striker Juanmi Jiménez finished off a well-orchestrated counterattack to take the side’s winner in the 79th minute. 

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The defeat left the Catalans in seventh place and in danger of falling even further behind leader Real Madrid, which played at Real Sociedad later.

Barcelona visits Bayern on Wednesday needing a win to ensure its place in the Champions League round of 16. Bayern, which is already qualified as the group winner, beat Barcelona 3-0 in their first meeting this season.

If it loses, Barcelona would need Benfica to not beat Dynamo Kyiv to avoid elimination.

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Before kickoff, Barcelona player Alexia Putellas presented the 65,000-plus fans her Ballón d’Or for the world’s best women’s player.

“I want to congratulate Alexia Putellas who made history. Her production continues to be incredibly impressive. We have a great friendship. We shared time at this club together when she was very young but you could already see how good she was then and her vision of the game. So, happy for here so I want to congratulate her,” Barca boss Xavi said ahead of the Betis game.

Barcelona lost teen talent Gavi Páez in the 34th when he needed to be carted off after apparently feeling dizzy following the powerful impact of a ball to his head.

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Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis rose into third place, right behind crosstown rival Sevilla, which beat Villarreal 1-0 thanks to a goal from Lucas Ocampos.

Sevilla and Villareal also have key Champions League matches this week. Sevilla must win at Salzburg to move on, while Villarreal plays Atalanta needing a draw to advance.

With inputs from the Associated Press