Aitor Ruibal, 'Pellegrini factory'

When Manuel Pellegrini landed in Heliopolis last summer, tried to compose his first template almost expressly in a preseason conditioned by the few games and the need to start the course almost with nothing. There were hardly any signings, especially in an offensive zone that had left clear shortcomings in the previous project. It was then that the Chilean coach caught his unexpected piece: Aitor Ruibal broke into the friendly clashes with a football full of momentum and convinced the technician to have a place in his plan. He had traveled back and forth on loan in previous courses and this time he was able to stay as one more in the Verdiblanco team, due to circumstances and the trust placed in him by Manuel Pellegrini. Months later, he is a key piece in the Chilean's scheme.

It was a goal against Villarreal in the first round the one that He launched definitely his candidacy for the green and white eleven. Since then, his regularity and his delivery give him a preferential place in Betis. Pellegrini has plenty of reasons for this: he adjusts the team's balance from the winger thanks to his defensive aids and also gives them a bite in attack. He may not have the imbalance of Diego Lainez or the talent of Joaquín, but its ownership is maintained with matches like the one signed against Valladolid, with a total role in attack and some decisions taken with success and little improvisation. It is a piece of the Pellegrini factory. Almost nobody expected him in a project designed to fight now for a European place.

Shield / Flag Betis

LaLiga Santander

* Data updated as of May 3, 2021

“You have to be calm, we are still there. You have to stay with the point and there are four finals to continue fighting, “outlined the playerr at the end of the sixth consecutive draw in LaLiga. The hunt for Europe is still alive for Betis and Ruibal is one of the main weapons of Pellegrini for this final stage of the championship. He adds two goals, an assist and more than 1,500 minutes that confirm that the coach's choice in the summer was justified. His ambition will be to go for more. The technician places him both on the right and on the left, he even offers himself as a side when the deficiencies forced him to do so. Ruibal is the wild card Most unexpected of Pellegrini.