A great goal by Riquelme and the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Álvaro Valles in the final stretch of the match propelled Betis to victory against Real Sociedad in a game better played by the Andalusians and where the Basques arrived fresher in the last minutes. Betis had everything in their favor after Riquelme’s goal, which finished a great play between Antony and Cucho. It was the 63rd minute and many things changed after Oyarzabal came on. The world champion gave two great passes to Susic and Oskarsson. The Croatian hit the post and the Icelandic forward, completely alone, faced the superb intervention of Valles. It is true that Betis could have scored the second goal in an action by Isco, but it is also true that they did not know how to close the match and suffered in the final pressure from the Real players. However, they managed to hold on to secure a very important win while building their squad in a season that will be very demanding with participation in the Champions League.
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Overall, Betis and Real Sociedad, two teams destined to fight for Europe, played a very balanced match in their league debut. The Verdiblancos had a frantic start, with Antony as the protagonist, fast as a panther, capable of breaking through the entire Real defense with an excellent change of pace and setting up a goal for Riquelme, who could not finish well. A clear chance in an explosive start by the Andalusians, which Real managed to slow down. It is a team without signings, but they know what they are doing. They have problems at the back, but from midfield forward they have good players. Even with Oyarzabal on the bench.
It was Betis who always took the initiative, although the work of players like Herrera and Susic stopped the Verdiblancos players. With Fornals somewhat disconnected, the best chance of the first half came on the counterattack. A great pass from Herrera after a bad control by Marc Roca left Oskarsson alone against Valles. The Icelander rushed against Valles’ exit. Betis kept trying, but lacked ideas and, above all, more finishing. The only player capable of changing the rhythm was Antony, although sparingly. Something magical was missing in the Verdiblanco team. Also in Real.
The entry of Isco, even far from his best form, helped Betis put more pressure on Real. In the 63rd minute, the Verdiblancos made a great play between Antony and Cucho, which ended with a great strike from Riquelme. The winger’s first goal as a Betis player in the league was followed by another clear chance from Isco, saved by a great stop from Remiro. Betis did not know how to finish off a Real that grew in the final stretch with Oyarzabal’s entry onto the field. It was Valles who made an impressive save against Oskarsson to block Real’s path to goal. Earlier, Susic had hit the post. Betis also had chances to score the second goal, which did not come. What did come was the victory for the Betis team. Seventh season of Manuel Pellegrini at Betis and debut with a win.
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“We gave intensity to the match from the start. We were good for the 90 minutes, although there was some lack of pause in the first half. I am happy with this first match of the season,” admitted Pellegrini himself, the Betis coach. “After the goal, they had good chances, but Álvaro was very good. It was an even match, but I think we deserved to win,” he added. “Isco is good for 30 minutes per match. The new players did well and I am happy with the team’s performance,” concluded the Betis coach.
“We competed and did not deserve to lose. We had a great chance from Oskarsson that we did not score. I think we controlled Betis until the first goal. We should not have lost,” said Pellegrino Matarazzo, the Real coach. “We lacked the goal, but it is early in the season. We can play better,” he added.
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| Standings | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Standings | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
