Hansi Flick declared the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville belongs to Ferran Torres, after the forward scored his second hat-trick at the venue in Barcelona's 5-3 victory over Real Betis.
Betis are hosting their games at La Cartuja while the Estadio Benito Villamarin is renovated, but there were few home comforts to be found for Los Verdiblancos on Saturday.
Barca edged out Manuel Pellegrini's men in an eight-goal thriller, with Torres netting a first-half treble and being joined on the scoresheet by Roony Bardghji and Laime Yamal.
Torres also scored a hat-trick at the same stadium for Spain in 2020, in a dominant 6-0 Nations League victory over Germany.
"He's a very intelligent player. He knows how to interpret spaces very well and he did it fantastically well today," Flick said of Torres after full-time.
"He has a very good mentality and lots of confidence. This is the way forward. He deserves to be in the starting XI.
"He is always there when he is needed. This stadium is Ferran Torres' stadium, also when he plays with the national team, he also scored a hat-trick here."
Torres also scored a hat-trick versus Betis in a 4-2 victory at the Villamarin in January 2024, meaning his only two trebles in LaLiga have both come in away games against them.
The former Manchester City attacker scored his three goals from five shots with a total expected goals (xG) value of 1.03, with all of his efforts hitting the target.
While Barca are now four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga ahead of Los Blancos' meeting with Celta Vigo on Sunday, Betis are fifth in the table, seven points off the top four.
Pellegrini believed there were positives to take from his team's performance, saying: "We lacked effectiveness to convert the chances in the first half.
"That was the difference in the first half, they had the same chances and scored them. Then, we came up against a very effective Barcelona team.
"I don't think we lacked aggressiveness. It was a disastrous game on the defensive side. We were the second-best defence in LaLiga, but we had those shortcomings here."
Barca are in action in the Champions League on Tuesday, at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, before Osasuna visit Camp Nou on December 13.
youaeiksty
0
Thank you, guys. La Liga is ours again this season. Let's keep focus πͺ. Visca Barcelona πͺ πͺ πͺ
pium
0
It was an awful game from Betis tbh. Game of very poor quality. Barca played an average game as well. If they put the intensity as in Atletico it would have been easily 10-1 or something similar
Tizelmnoru
3
I think Christenson or Gracia should replace DeJong in the middle and Farran for Lewy. Farran sometimes loses some obvious chances, but he better at putting pressure on the defence. Lewy just got good composure on the ball than him. De jong has lost his offensiveness and aggressiveness. He's intercepted easily these days, and all those magic attacks and recovery has greatly reduced from him. Today, Pedri was almost the AM bcuz of Gracia. I also like the idea of Martin as CB. It gives versatility from the CB, a left and right foot. But I think Martin needs to step up his game and have more confidence.
kandmopty
1
Torres one match start and for second match after 70 minutes itβs better that we keep him Heβs great especially for second half for next match this lineup dangerous
Sizbeiloy
1
Barcelona and flick should find alternative to kounde, he needs rest
Hauaemosu
1
hdy
Sizbeiloy
0
just the way Barcelona find a way out for left center bank, they should find a way out for kounde. he needs rest
keaabdpuy
0
congratulations πππ for Torres π you do work well for us FCB for life πͺ