Thank you very much for joining us in this frantic meeting that closes the twenty-sixth day of LaLiga! Until next time!
FACT: Betis have won a LaLiga match after losing by two goals difference for the first time since March 2008 against Barcelona (3-2 final). Explosion.
Spectacular comeback that of the Betic team in these 45 minutes thanks to a double by Borja Iglesias (the first a penalty and the second the victory goal) and another goal by Joaquín that allow the Verdiblancos to add four consecutive victories, to be three points (42) from the fifth place occupied by Real Sociedad (45) and look with optimism towards next day's match against Sevilla. Mazazo for an Alavés who had had an impeccable first half, both in attack and defense, but in the second half he let go of several very clear occasions in the early stages of the game, something that has ended up taking its toll. While for Pellegrini's all is joy, Abelardo's men thus add their fourth consecutive defeat, despite having been comfortable with the result at the beginning of the second half, and they are left with the 22 points with which they started the match and that They keep them in the nineteenth place, in the relegation places of LaLiga.
FULL TIME! Frantic meeting at Villamarín that culminates in a great comeback by Betis to take all three points.
3 minutes added.
Imminent change at Betis, Fekir leaves and Akouokou enters the Villamarín pitch.
Emerson support
GOOOOOOOOOL OF BETIS FOR THE COMPETITION! DOUBLE BORJA IGLESIAS! Betis recovers the ball after a bad throw-in by Ximo Navarro, Pellegrini's box goes on the attack, Emerson centers the area and the Betis striker hits an impressive header to put his team ahead on the scoreboard. Mazazo for Alavés, who has seen how the Verdiblanco team has completely traced the result to take the three points, with two minutes remaining until the end of the game.
Change in Alavés, Rioja leaves and Iñigo Córdoba enters.
Certainly dangerous set-piece opportunity in favor of Betis after a foul by Rioja on Fekir. Canales caught her from outside the area looking for Joaquín's shot at the far post, but the center went wide and he couldn't connect with his teammate.
Crazy minutes that await us at Villamarín! With less than ten minutes remaining, both teams will fight to win three vital points for their respective fights, in the case of Betis for their European fight, and in the case of Alavés, to say goodbye to the relegation places.
JOAQUÍN GOOOOOOOOOL! TIE THE BETIS AT 80 'FROM THE SCOREBOARD! Canales kick off a corner kick and Joaquín finishes at his pleasure to put the ball through the squad, impossible for Pacheco.
Assists Sergio Canales Madrazo
Lateral foul favorable to Alavés that Aguirregabiria centers from the right and Lejeune finishes off from the area, but the ball goes over the goal of Joel Robles.
Tello's low and crossed shot from the peak of the area that Pacheco forcefully catches.
Yellow card for Ximo Navarro, the third for Alavés, for a clear foul on Canales.
Last fifteen minutes of the meeting! If this result is confirmed, Alavés would end their streak of three losses, while Betis would end their good streak, and would not get their fourth consecutive victory.
And Abelardo enters Aguirregabiria to close borders and Edgar Méndez leaves.
Guido also leaves for Carvalho.
Double change in Betis, who are looking for a tie: Juanmi leaves and Tello enters.
FACT: Since last season, Nabil Fekir is the player who has caused the most penalties in LaLiga (8), while Rubén Duarte is the one who has committed the most together with Marc Bartra (6 each).
Lateral foul from the right that Joaquín hangs into the area, he looked for Juanmi at the far post, but the center is not precise and the Verdiblanco striker fails to finish off in the area.
Alavés is now completely closed, locked in his area, but with his own nerves that a goal would put a tie on the scoreboard, and that a team like Betis has all the weapons to achieve it.
FACT: Alavés have scored two goals in the first half of a LaLiga away game for the first time this season, scoring both from their only two shots.
Pellistri also leaves, replaced by Pere Pons.
First change in the ranks of Alavés, which suffers from Iglesias' goal that cut distances on the scoreboard. Battaglia leaves and Tomás Pina enters.
Juanmi is wrong! Betis missed chance! Ximo loses the ball, Betis goes against it, Juanmi starts the internship in the area, but when he is in hand-to-hand with Pachecho he does not decide to shoot, he prefers to delay for one of his teammates, but it is Lejeune who ends clearing the ball and danger.
Alavés will now be thinking about the very clear chances that they have had prior to the penalty that could have killed the match, and that now complicate this remaining half hour, since Betis has shown that reaching the rival area is not exactly difficult for them.
FACT: Prior to Borja Iglesias, Real Betis has scored 11 goals in LaLiga this season through players who came off the bench, more than any other team, including the last two, Borja Iglesias against Getafe and Juanmi against Cádiz .
DOES NOT FAIL BORJA IGLESIAS FROM ELEVEN METERS! The Verdiblanco striker cuts distances with a maximum penalty converted by Iglesias, and who cuts distances on the scoreboard with half an hour ahead.
PENALTY IN FAVOR OF BETIS! Duarte wanted to clear a ball in the area, with the misfortune that Fekir put the tip of the boot to fight it and ends up knocking him down in the area.
And now Joselu! Alavés won a corner kick after a center-kick by Joselu that poisoned himself and that Joel Robles had to take out with the mitten, it seemed that he was going inside live. How much damage Abelardo's team is doing to Betis tonight, he has had two very clear occasions to widen his distance in the light.
STUNNING JOEL ROBLES! Alavés counterattack, receives Pellistri from the right in the race, manages to win the position to Miranda, and fires a heeled shot that he clears with his fists. New strong warning from the babazorro team, arriving much more than in the first half, but without increasing the distance on the scoreboard.
There will be a corner kick in favor of the Verdiblancos after a shot by Guido that went brushing the right post of Pacheco's goal, and that was cleared by the slobbery defense.
The game gets a bit stuck after the Alavés attempt in the first bars of this second half.
FACT: Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini has not lost in his three games against Alavés in LaLiga (2V 1E), two at the helm of Villarreal and one with his current team.
THE ONE THAT ALAVÉS HAS HAD! The play was finally invalidated by Rioja's hand, but in a matter of two touches, Abelardo's team was planted in the area. Pellistri receives a deep ball from the ball, centers it from the right, the ball hangs in the small without anyone being able to finish it off, but once again Alavés catching the Verdiblanca defense off guard.
Ruibal also leaves and Joaquín enters.
As expected, Pellegrini is not happy with what he sees, he wants the 'poker' of victories and makes two changes as soon as the second half begins. Guarded leaves and Borja Iglesias enters.
START THE SECOND HALF IN THE VILLAMARÍN!
Alavés came to this match after three defeats, after conceding ten goals and having scored only one. Things can change drastically in the second half, but the babazorros have already scored more goals in these first 45 minutes than in the previous 270 and have kept a clean sheet. Very solid match that of Abelardo's team. Betis are not having a bad day, they simply cannot find a way to penetrate Pachecho's network and stop the poisonous arrivals of the babazorros.
Betis dominated, combined and had more chances, but it was the babazorros who have squeezed every last drop of their arrivals in the area, scarce compared to the Verdiblancos, but whose precision allows them to go with two goals ahead in the bright : first it was Joselu with a direct free kick that found his way into goal thanks to a Betic defense that opened and allowed the ball to slip into the net; then it was Edgar Méndez who headed the center of Duarte to surprise Joel Robles again. Two serious arrivals, two goals. Betis have had clear opportunities to close the gap, but between Pacheco and the defense they have managed to keep a clean sheet. The Alavés defense is very compact, which faces the second half with a Betis that will stalk their area with continuity looking, at least, for a tie.
Alberola Rojas does not add anything! Rest at Benito Villamarín! Alavés go to the dressing room with a two-goal advantage after having surprised Betis in the final meters and having displayed impeccable defense and goal.
Combine Betis, two minutes from reaching the first 45 of the game.
Alavés again being dangerous in the final meters, now it is Rioja who was trying from the left side, enters the area, but reaches the baseline with practically no angle and his shot is cleared by the Betis defense.
Borja Iglesias and Joaquín warm up, and it seems that Pellegrini is not liking what he is seeing. Expecting early changes in the second half.
Betis having many occasions: nine total shots and three of them between the three sticks. Impeccable defense and Pacheco, stopping any attempt by the Verdiblancos to cut distances in the light.
GET OUT JUANMI! There will be a corner kick in favor of Betis after a great play for the Betis. Fekir enters the area with great quality, prolongs for Ruibal on the right, who does not dare to shoot because he is very heeled and delays for Juanmi, who ends a play that ends up clearing the slobbery defense.
A good combination now between Miranda and Canales, setting up the wall in the area, but whose subsequent shot from Canales is cleared by Laguardia.
FACT: The Alavés coach, Abelardo Fernández, has directed six LaLiga games against Real Betis without winning any (3E 3D), only against Barcelona has he directed more in the competition without victory (8P – 1E 7D).
Corner kick in favor of a Betis who, after Alavés 'second goal, lives in the visitors' area.
Miranda cross from the left side that Laguardia clears at the near post. Compact Abelardo's set.
Fekir now tries with a shot from the balcony of the area, but the slobbery defense clears the shot without complications.
Second yellow card of the match, also for an Alavés player. Battaglia is booked by Alberola Rojas after a foul on Fekir.
Joselu falls in the area after a cut on the line, he is surrounded by three Betis defenders, but Alberola Rojas is right and indicates that there is nothing.
GET OUT THE ZARPAZ OF GUIDO! Betis warns again, who almost surprised Pacheco again with a shot from outside the area. The ball went brushing the left post of goalkeeper babazorro's goal.
FACT: Joselu is the second player to score two direct free-kick goals in LaLiga this season -four shots- after Lionel Messi, this season -four shots-, after Lionel Messi, two in 25.
In two isolated arrivals, but well used, Alavés extended their advantage at Benito Villamarín. First it was Joselu with a foul, now Edgar Méndez with a header assisted by Duarte. Making the most of Abelardo's team of scoring chances he has had in the area that Joel Robles protects. Betis, despite the chances, has run into an impeccable defense and Pacheco, for now.
Assist – Rubén Duarte
GOOOOOOOOOOL OF EDGAR MÉNDEZ! HIT AGAIN EL ALAVÉS WITH A NEW ARRIVAL! Alavés takes the opportunity to start the play with speed, Duarte puts a fantastic cross from the right that adjusts to the far post to connect with Edgar, who hits a header to the opposite post impossible for Joel Robles.
First yellow card of the match for Edgar Méndez for a foul on Sidnei.
Corner in favor of Betis after an individual play by Fekir, who led from the right side, starts the intermission in the area, but runs out of angle when he reaches the baseline and gets a corner kick.
Alavés enduring the arrivals of Betis with solvency, although those of Pellegrini constantly warn that this result did not satisfy them. Much game ahead, but a very dynamic and open start at Villamarín.
DOUBLE CHANCE FOR THE BETIS! Very clear, now, the two plays that Pellegrini's team has had! First it was Miranda with a distant shot from outside the area that left Pachecho tight to the left post of the goal, but the babazorro goalkeeper throws reflexes and manages to block the ball, with the misfortune that Juanmi stalks the area, he takes control He rejects, and fires a heeled shot on the right side of the area that Lejeune manages to save. Double intervention by Alavés, double chance for Betis.
Good chance for Betis! Juanmi does not get to hit the far post after a cross by Ruibal from the area. Great combinatorial play on the right side that Fekir starts, which he combined with Ruibal. Laguardia cleared with his shoulder, although the Betic players asked for a hand. There is nothing and Alberola Rojas confirms that there has been no hand in the action.
Alavés is now closing in block, while Betis regains possession and seeks to get closer to Pacheco's goal.
FACT: Prior to Joselu's goal, five of the last six goals for Alavés as a visitor in LaLiga have been scored between Lucas Pérez (three) and Joselu (two), the other by Luis Rioja; three of the last five goals from Vitoria at home have been from penalties.
GOOOOOOOOLAZO DE JOSELU! GOOOOOOOL FROM ALAVÉS! The Alavés forward nailed the free-kick, who took advantage of a gap that forms in the barrier between the Betic defense and leaves Joel Robles nailed to the goal, who did not see the direction of the free-kick. Alavés goes ahead, hits Abelardo's box first in Villamarín.
Very dangerous foul in favor of Alavés after a foul by Sidnei on Manu! Golden chance from a set piece for Abelardo's men.
Alavés tried it now, but without finishing the play. Duarte put a ball for Joselu, but the player ran into the Betic defense and could not shoot.
Combining with all of Betis in these almost first ten minutes of the match, while Alavés has almost the entire team in their area defending. A lot of ball and possession for Pellegrini's men.
New occasion for the locals. Now it is Fekir, who returns to the starting position after his injury, who assists Juanmi in the area, but the Betic forward cannot specify the direction of the shot and sends the ball over the goal. The player was too heeled on the right.
Edgar Méndez seems to be leading Joselu, marking a 4-4-2 in his line-up for the Aberlardo team. Thus, the center of the field is made up of Pellistri, Manu, Battaglia, Rioja.
First occasion of the match, hand in hand with Betis. Juanmi tried the volley after a cross to Ruibal's area. He impaled her without much force and Pacheco ended up catching without complications. Dominating the Betics in these first bars of the game.
THE MEETING BEGINS IN BENITO VILLAMARÍN!
Minute of silence now for Manuel Morillo Peñalosa, Betis worker.
We see several tributes for International Women's Day in tonight's meeting, Betis wears special shirts with the names on the number of the oldest Betis members of Villamarín.
The 22 protagonists jump in the Benito Villamarín! The referee for the match is Alberola Rojas.
5. Alavés is the LaLiga team that has scored the fewest points in 2021 (four, 1V 1E 7D); The Vitoria team has won only 14.3% of their league matches since Abelardo's arrival (1/7) compared to 22.2% with Pablo Machín (4/18).
4. Real Betis have added 20 points in LaLiga in nine games played since the beginning of 2021 (6V 2E 1D), one more than in their previous 16 games in the competition this season (6V 1E 9D).
3. Alavés have only won one of their last 15 LaLiga games against Andalusian rivals (5E 9D), losing the last four. That victory was precisely against Real Betis and away from home (1-2 in July 2020).
2. Real Betis have not won in their last two home games against Alavés in LaLiga (1E 1D) and it has been the first time that they have joined two without a victory against Vitoria at home in the top flight.
1. After three consecutive defeats between 2006 and 2017, Real Betis have only lost one of their last seven games against Alavés in LaLiga (3V 3E), 1-2 in July 2020 in the last meeting between them at Benito Villamarín .
Let's go with some data prior to the start of the crash!
Abelardo has the only casualty of Rodrigo Ely, who continues to recover from his torn ligaments. The Alavés bench is made up of: Tachi, Lucas Pérez, Pina, Guidetti, Sivera, Deyverson, Córdoba, Burgui, Pons, Aguirregabiria, Pere Pons, Javi López and Jota.
Alavés also made several changes to the line-up after the defeat against Osasuna, giving entry to Pellistri, Battaglia and Rioja in the center of the field, leaving Joselu as the only point reference, and entering Duarte through Aguirregabiria. Thus, Abelardo bets on: Fernando Pacheco; Ximo, Laguardia, Lejeune, Duarte; Rioja, Battaglia, Manu, Edgar, Pellistri; Joselu.
In addition to the absence of Víctor Ruiz, Pelligrini continues without being able to count on Marc Bartra, goalkeeper Dani Martín and Víctor Camarasa. However, in addition to Fekir he recovers Borja Iglesias and William Carvalho after serving a sanction last day in Carranza, both starting from the bench that make up: Akouokou, Tello, Loren, Joaquín, Yassin Fekir, Lainez, Bravo, Rodrigo Sánchez, Iglesias and Carvalho.
Pellegrini makes three changes to the line-up with respect to the eleven that played in the victory against Cádiz. Fekir returns to the eleven for Lainez after overcoming his injury, Juami will be the only leading reference and replaces Loren and Sidnei enters in a line of four for Víctor Ruiz (injured). Thus, the eleven of Betis are made up of: Joel Robles; Emerson, Mandi, Sidnei, Miranda; Guido, Guarded; Fekir, Canales, Ruibal; and Juanmi as the most advanced player.
We already have confirmed lineups from both teams!
“We caught Betis on their best streak. They are a great rival, but we are Alavés and we are going to play against a great team, but we have our players and our way of playing, with which I think we are going to make things difficult for them, ”Abelardo said at a press conference.
Alavés will want to end the bad run of results after accumulating three defeats in a row, against Barcelona, Real Sociedad and Osasuna, having conceded 10 goals and scored only one in those games. Of the total of five victories they have accumulated this season, two have occurred away from home, joining seven defeats and three draws away from home.
“We are not looking at Europe or the derby, we only think of Alavés,” Pellegrini admitted at a press conference. “There is a lot at stake, we have managed to get closer to places that allow us to fight for a higher position in the table, but this game is not the last or the end, “he added.
Betis seeks to extend the good run of results and will want to reach the 'poker' of victories tonight after having beaten Villarreal, Getafe and Cádiz, and especially before facing the derby against Sevilla on the next day.
Two teams in two different points of the classification meet tonight at Benito Villamarín. Those of Pellegrini, sixth, want the three points to get closer to the Champions League places that Sevilla marks, fourth with 48 points, nine more than the Verdiblancos; While Abelardo's, in the nineteenth place, will want to add three to get away from the red lantern of the competition. With a victory, Alavés would be placed with 25 points and would come out of the relegation places that Elche marks with 24.
Good evening and welcome to the match that closes the twenty-sixth day of LaLiga and which will face one team in European positions and another in the relegation places!