BETIS 2-LEVANTE 0 | A genius of Fekir promotes the European candidacy of Betis

Nabil Fekir led Betis until the victory against Levante to confirm the candidacy for Europe of the Verdiblancos. The attacker sent a message to Didier Deschamps, who did not count on him this week for his plans for the French team, by unbalancing the balance in the second half with an individual play of many carats that knocked down the hopes of a Levante that had not been lower until that time. Fekir's stellar appearance changed everything: he launched Betis in that battle for Europe in which he already threatened Real Sociedad and minimized the hopes of Paco López's team.

The intentions of each team were captured very soon. Betis executed intense high pressure and Levante tried to dodge it by making vertiginous attacks towards spaces. De Frutos, incisive on his right side, beat Álex Moreno's back and was close to putting the first before five minutes. His shot went high before the gaze of Claudio Bravo. It was a clear visitor warning. The green-and-white answer came through Fekir and Álex Moreno, who found holes in Miramón's flank and ran into Aitor. There was not much brilliance on the pitch: Pellegrini was already glancing at his bench while Paco López drew up a plan to damage those appetizing spaces left by Víctor Ruiz and Álex Moreno.

LaLiga Santander

* Data updated as of March 19, 2021

After the break, Betis accelerated minimizing the meters between Canales and Fekir. A connection between the two gave the Spaniard a good chance against Aitor, but his shot was not accurate. The passing of the minutes aroused more ambition in the Levant. Bardhi pulled the strings and De Frutos was already a nightmare for that left flank of Pellegrini's painting. But it was Fekir who undid the nothing. He turned before the Levantine pressure, signed an almost impossible obstacle course to enter the area and beat Aitor under. Everything changed in that minute 70. Those of Paco López lowered their heads and from there turned their area into a zone of fear. Juanmi took advantage of it five minutes later by taking advantage of a rejection by Aitor against Mandi. Pellegrini found his way to glory again in the final stretch of the crash. There was time for Fekir to miss a clear chance and Levante practically threw in the towel. The candidate could with the candidate and Europe seems more real for Betis.

LaLiga Santander

* Data updated as of March 19, 2021

Pellegrini: “Fekir needed a goal”

Triumph: “Good victory against a very difficult opponent, who came from getting good results. The team controlled the game well except in the first ten minutes, in which there was not adequate intensity.”

Fekir: “Happy because Fekir needed a goal to win in confidence, he scored a spectacular goal. He had the brilliance and strength to face four and finish well.”

Defense: “I highlight the collective work in defense, there are already ten clean sheets. After December, the performance is very high and I like that it is created in a way of playing, always looking for the game because it is the idea that I have tried to instill “. EFE

Paco López: “We lacked forcefulness”

Fekir's goal changes the game: “Yes, the quick summary is that. A game until minute 70 and from that play the quality of Betis is demonstrated. We have lacked forcefulness, it is the truth. There is everything: his quality to make that play and our lack of forcefulness to stop it. Up to that point we have been brave, we have stood up and in the end quality has prevailed in our great work. From then on, the second came early and we have not had the capacity to react. “

Rest: “We have a very clean week, although it is not an excuse, but it is good for us to work. We try to continue improving because there is still the season.”

129 games: “The personal, plus a day like today, takes a back seat. Right now I don't really want to think about it. It's a source of pride but right now it's hard for me to talk about something personal.”

Rochina: “It doesn't seem like it's anything important, but it's a nuisance that prevented him from playing today.”

Effectiveness: “The team has started well from the beginning. We had three in the first minutes. The difference with the first leg has been the forcefulness and effectiveness. I think we arrived less in the first leg and scored four goals. We are left with the team having loved against a rival with a great team. We have competed and nothing can be blamed on the team. I am annoyed by two things: by Fekir's play, without detracting from it, and the corner play, with a double or triple mistake. We have gone 2-0 and in the end it could have been more. That is why I am annoyed. If it were for the first few minutes it would be to take off our hat. If we want to take one more step we have to give everything “. -Luis Sancho