MADRID, 17 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Betis achieved a hard-fought victory against Zenit Saint Petersburg (2-3) in the first leg of the Europa League round of 32 in a match full of alternatives, which gives the Spanish team an advantage for next week’s second leg which will be held at the Benito Villamarín.
The Verdiblanco team had visited Russia twice in its entire history and was never able to win. This Thursday, immersed in a sweet dynamic – where everything flows to order – he extended his excellent streak and was able to remove the thorn to raise the victories achieved in the last eight games to seven.
The team led by Manuel Pellegrini played with their usual bravery and soon got a prize on the scoreboard. A free kick taken by Joaquín from the right flank was headed by Guido Rodríguez to make it 0-1 after 8 minutes. A deserved advantage to the daring of the ‘Thirteen Bars’, who doubled after the quarter of an hour.
On this occasion it was Willian José who beat Mikhail Kerzhakov after driving almost 20 meters that culminated with a right foot from outside the area that entered at grass level. Betis experienced its best moments in a brilliant start that had no response from Zenit until almost half an hour.
The Russians found the goal in their first approach in the boots of Artiom Dziuba and they went crazy in a match without defensive order where anything could happen. From one moment to another, the local goal gave power to a Zenit that was capable of everything in three minutes. Betis did not fold and touched the third but ended up conceding the tie (2-2) in an action by ex-Barcelonista Malcolm. A jug of cold water that had prompt repair.
And it was the fault of the Zenit goalkeeper, who made a poor delivery a few minutes before the break and gave the opportunity to make it 2-3 to Andrés Guardado, assisted by an outstanding Aitor Ruibal, who defined with talent in his first goal of the season. So much so that he did justice to the Verdiblancos’ bet.
In the second half, also with different occasions for both teams, the clearest was a cross shot by Ruibal, while Sergey Semak’s men did not take advantage of a final melee to get a slice in the area. The result did not change and Betis returns to Spain with a loot that may be more than enough in seven days in search of the round of 16.