Betis are already looking at the Camp Nou after solving their first stake in the Copa del Rey in Alicante without haste. Manuel Pellegrini’s focus is on a main dilemma when it comes to making his eleven for the face of Barcelona this Saturday: Replacing Nabil Fekir. The absence of the French, who was sanctioned, greatly conditions the Chilean coach’s scheme, who had him in all the league games except in the tough defeat of Wanda Metropolitano. He has tricks on the table: Canales can occupy that role, Joaquín signed moments of brilliance in the last games and even Rodri wants to have his chance. The football that Fekir manufactures needs an unforeseen plan at the Camp Nou.
Pellegrini had in the Cup a context in which to make tests. Fekir did not play, although he will not do so in the next two games. Joaquín did it in his position and the captain scored and gave assists. It is perhaps the piece whose profile most resembles that of the French due to technical conditions, but his ownership in the Cup distances him from that eleven of the Camp Nou. Also the uncertainty about whether his physical level is enough for the demands that may be on the table against Barça.
La Liga Santander
* Data updated as of December 1, 2021
Pellegrini has Canales and Juanmi as safe tricks in three quarters with Willian José ahead. Rodri can enter this equation on the right flank, or even Aitor Ruibal if the intention is to protect himself more on that side. The dilemma with Canales remains the same: he shines more as a center midfielder and that possibility would leave the three-quarter spots even more empty. Tello found his best version in the Cup and claims an opportunity, while others like Lainez or Rober have a more difficult time appearing in that eleven deterioration of Engineer Pellegrini. Without Fekir, the Betis coach is looking for solutions that do not deviate from expectations.