Barcelona should consider this as threat in their quest to win trophies this season as they have been having problems with the so called small teams. Yesterday, Real Betis arrived at the Camp Nou and played a brilliant game to take three points from Barcelona.
This is just the latest defeat for the blaugrana, who've dropped points against Valencia, Athletic Club, Leganes and Girona, all of which - except the latter - are teams in the bottom half of the table. It is staggering.
However, when they've played against the so called big teams like Real Madrid, Inter, Tottenham and Sevilla, Ernesto Valverde's side have been up to the challenge. He should be wondering why his team only do well against big teams. The answer is simple: the team are only motivated when it is match of significance, while when the match is 'straightforward,' things change.
This Sunday, Real Betis was more than a case in point: Quique Setien's shrewd approach was coupled by perfect execution from his players. When Barcelona wanted to react, they were hit by a couple of goals on the counter.
And, as is becoming increasingly common, they tried to claw back the game, but, playing like this, playing with fire, sometimes gets you burnt.
Did Barcelona miss Dembele?
Not at all. Valverde's approach to leave him out of the squad is more than justified. No-one thought of Dembele because so little is expected of the Frenchman; not just in the stands either, but also from his teammates and coaching staff.
If he doesn't do a u-turn and drastically improve his performances, he doesn't have much of a future at the Camp Nou.
Did Malcom make the most of his opportunity?
The Brazilian had a brilliant game. In the first five minutes, he played in Leo Messi and Luis Suarez with sumptuous passes that they ultimately missed. Later on, his performance dropped but the former Bordeaux man could become a key player for Barcelona.
Was Ter Stegen to blame?
It's obvious that he made a blunder for Betis' third goal but in the first half he kept out a huge chance for ex-Barcelona player Christian Tello.
Beyond the fact the German made this error, you would have to wonder how Betis could have got into such a position in the first place and get an easy shot away.

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