Aitor Ruibal has been forced in the last two Betis games to act as left back. Against Atlético he came off the wing, but an injury to Guardado a few minutes into the start forced him to delay his position and deal with the rojiblancos cracks. Against Eintracht he had to start there in the match and tHe was also forced to make an extra defensive effort. But he didn’t complain and gave his best in that position.
It was not the first time that Ruibal played as lateral, although on other occasions he had done it for his most natural place, the right. This campaign, without going any further: against Celtic in the Europa League, against Talavera in the Cup and against Betis-Levante in the League, he occupied that right-handed defense position with more or less success, but always willing to help the team in one place which is far from yours. Despite the fact that the current Betis squad has de five specific full-backs, three right-handed and two left-handed, the injuries have forced the Catalan to keep both sides.
Pellegrini has used him more often at the ends, his indicated place. More often on the right but also quite a few times on the left. In total, Aitor has appeared this season in 27 official matches, 15 in the League, 7 in the Europa League and 5 in the Cup. He has scored a goal against Real Sociedad in the KO tournament, and has provided two assists.
La Liga Santander
*Data updated as of March 11, 2022
Aggressive player in pressure, Aitor accumulates four yellow cards in LaLiga, with what is one of the footballers warned that Betis currently has, along with Borja Iglesias. In the last two games of the championship, against Sevilla and Atléticohas seen two of those reprimands that have one of the suspension.