SEVILLE, Spain — Hansi Flick’s dominant Barcelona routed 10-man Real Betis 5-2 on Saturday to return five points clear at the top of La Liga.
Teenage winger Lamine Yamal scored a brilliant goal for the Spanish champions, with Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo also finding the net at La Cartuja stadium in Seville.
Betis, third, had Facundo Bernal sent off for a headbutt on Yamal early in the second half of a pulsating clash.
Barca set a new club record for victories at the start of a league campaign and equalled the all-time record of nine, set by Real Madrid in the 1968/69 season.
Flick’s side boast 11 wins from 11 games across all competitions.
“Once again the team has shown its attacking potential, but it’s also true we’re giving quite a bit away, and that’s probably where the improvement has to come from too,” Rodri told DAZN.
Earlier Atletico, second, snatched a late 1-0 win at Espanyol and are five points behind Barca, while Betis are eight points adrift of the leaders and Real Madrid, fourth, host Sevilla on Sunday.
Betis rested several players, including key midfielder Isco, ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Feyenoord.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side still gave Barca a stern test, after the Catalan giants went ahead through a sensational Yamal strike in the 10th minute.
The 19-year-old turned sharply on the edge of the box to escape Bernal and then exquisitely curled into the top corner.
“(It was) an incredible goal, we’ve got used to him doing this lately, I have to say,” added Rodri.
“In the end, players like that make the difference. But I try to focus on the other things he brings... (like) hard work, a lot of solidarity with the team, understanding the game and where he could find space.”
