Betis deserved to beat Alavés. After a discreet and even first half, the Andalusian team was far superior in the second half to the Basque team, who even played the last minutes with 10 players due to Sedlar’s expulsion. Chimy Ávila and Abde gave Betis an extra boost in the second half where Fekir missed two very clear chances. In the first he found a great Sivera. In the second, he shot wide with everything in his favour after a great pass from Ávila. It was precisely Chimy who had the last great opportunity for the Andalusian team. Sivera made a prodigious flight to the corner to frustrate the Betis team. Alavés fought a lot, being competitive in the first half. In the second, they were clearly outclassed by a Betis that played quite good football. These were the moments in which Betis unleashed, aware of their greater quality. They lacked, however, the goal. A crucial aspect of this sport that the Andalusian team must improve. They will do so as soon as Isco recovers and the signing of Vitor Roque is confirmed. The official nature of this reinforcement is very close. In LaLiga, the games move in a very even manner. It is the quality in the finishing that makes the difference. Betis did not have it, especially Fekir, and Alavés celebrated their point while the Andalusian team left Vitoria with an evident bitter taste.
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The 2011/12/13 season saw the 2012/13/14 season opener, with the 2012/13/15 season being the first to be played in the first half. The 2012/13/16 season saw the 2012/13/17 season opener, with the 2012/13/18 season opener, with the 2012/13/19 season opener, with the 2012/13/20 season opener, with the 2012/13/21 season opener, with the 2012/13/22 season opener, with the 2012/13/23 season opener, with the 2012/13/24 season opener, with the 2012/13/25 season opener, with the 2012/13/26 season opener, with the 2012/13/27 season opener,
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Rui Silva, Llorente, Sabaly, Ricardo Rodríguez (Romain Perraud, min. 45), Bartra (Souza, min. 85), Fekir, Fornals (Rodri, min. 76), Marc Roca, Juanmi (Abde, min. 63), William Carvalho and Aitor Ruibal (Chimy Ávila, min. 63)
Goals
Referee Matthew Busquets Ferrer
Yellow cards Sedlar (min. 3), Juanmi (min. 26), Romain Perraud (min. 64), Marc Roca (min. 76) and Chimy Ávila (min. 88)
Red cards Sedlar (min. 86)
Betis had a hard time adapting to an environment as difficult as that of Mendizorroza. Pellegrini’s team, who was playing his 200th game in charge of the Andalusian team, plays too much on foot, supported by the quality of players such as Carvalho or Fekir. While he waits for the officialisation of his brilliant signing, Vitor Roque, already in Seville, the Chilean has no choice but to play with Aitor Ruibal as striker while he waits for a quality shot from his best players. And they play in slow motion. That’s how it’s difficult to overcome a team as intense as Alavés. Luis García Plaza’s team lacked much precision in their crosses into the area, but they dominated a first half in which Betis offered too cold a football. Not a single shot on target in Sivera’s goal and a lot of inconsequential ball control in the centre of the field. The two styles, very opposite, clashed without there being much danger in the areas. The scoreline was a logical consequence of the break, although Juanmi did have a good chance to make it 0-1.
Betis stepped up a gear in the second half. They matched Alavés’ intensity and that was when the best chances for Betis came. Fekir had two very clear chances and Sivera’s flight drove Ávila to despair. It was a very different Betis, with ambition, speed and good play. The game ended between Alavés’ goalkeeper and Betis’ lack of aim. Another draw in this very even League.
“We had more chances and in the second half we got better. They are clear chances that we have to take, I was the first, I missed a very clear one. We played on Thursday and we wanted to win. It wasn’t possible. We have to work to improve our finishing. I was the first,” said Nabil Fekir. “The point is not bad, but after a very balanced first half we had three very clear chances to win. I am happy with the attitude and personality of the team,” said Manuel Pellegrini. “The first half was ours, but we lacked a lot of precision. They have more quality and it was noticeable in the second half,” said Luis García Plaza.
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