Lionel Messi came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a 3-2 victory over Real Betis on Sunday, as Ronald Koeman’s rotation gamble just about paid off.
Messi was among several key players rested, with Koeman seemingly prioritising Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final against Sevilla ahead of Barca’s fading title challenge in La Liga.
Defeat would have called that decision into question but Messi drove in an equaliser two minutes after coming on in the second half and then helped set up Francisco Trincao to score a late winner and his first Barcelona goal.
Koeman’s side sit seven points behind La Liga’s leaders Atletico Madrid, who have played two games fewer and face Celta Vigo at home on Monday night.
Success also came at a cost as Barca’s best available central defender Ronald Araujo was forced off with an ankle injury early on.
With Gerard Pique already a long-term absentee, Araujo’s fitness will be a huge concern, especially with a Champions League last 16 first leg at home to Paris Saint-Germain to come, a week after the test against Sevilla.