Marc Bartra believes the points Barcelona gained by beating Real Betis will prove important in the title race.
With Atletico Madrid winning prior to kick-off at Camp Nou the victory allowed Barca to remain a point behind Los Colchoneros.
Bartra said after the match that it was important Barca kept their focus against the League’s bottom side.
“This was a very important game and we knew three points were vital for the competition. Other games can distract you,” Sport reports the defender as saying.
Bartra added that the disruption of the transfer ban that hit Barca in midweek is par for the course at a club that size.
“Being a big club you spend a lot of time on the field and in the offices,” he continued.
The game was played with the backdrop of a Barca members’ referendum on the proposed redevelopment of Camp Nou, something Bartra says worked in the team’s favour.
“We were embraced by the public. There were many people here for the referendum, by the hour, and it felt like things were going well for us,” the centre-back said.
Barca next face Atletico in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg, travelling to Madrid on Wednesday.
“I’m very positive. We can go to Vicente Calderon and complete the tie,” Bartra predicted.
