A goal from Ayoze and some fortune put Pellegrini’s team as leaders
MADRID, 26 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Betis beat Aris Limassol (0-1) this Thursday on the third day of the Europa League within Group C, which now leads with six points, after the goalless draw in the other match between Sparta Prague and Rangers .
The Spanish team won an important victory away from home in a very even group, thanks to Ayoze Pérez’s goal in the 75th minute. It was the golden minute of the match in Cyprus, as Betis scored after a ball hit Mayambela’s post in the previous play.
Fortune smiled on Manuel Pellegrini’s men, although the overflow of Abde ended up being vital, who took advantage of Boakye’s early injury that dislocated the rival defense, and a cross with great intention. The ball hit the crossbar twice before the Canary sent it into the net. With 6 points, Betis takes command of Group C, with 4 from Sparta and Rangers, and 3 from Aris Limassol.
The Betic team won the first round not by much difference and was not on the scoreboard at half-time either. Pellegrini’s men had to endure half an hour of a balanced duel to begin to find openings and the Cypriot team did not stop showing their ability to arrive with little, something they would do after the break.
The best Betic chance came around the 40th minute, when Abde gained the baseline in his overflow and put the ball back. Ayoze touched the goal, which rival defender Yago avoided almost accidentally, in the best moment of the Andalusians. Before, a good wall between the Canary Islands and Willian José ended in a deflected shot by Guido.
Isco’s rest and discreet offensive streak were noticeable in a Betis team that also suffered from Aris Limassol’s vertical play. Babicka and Gomis gave their problems to a calmer Betis in the stretch towards the break when they had more possession. The Betic team wanted to maintain that script, but the Cypriots once again combined good transitions with danger.
Babicka was an indomitable ‘demon’, except for Pezzella who acted as a wall, but on the other side, Abde turned out to be more lethal, after Luiz Henrique’s warnings to begin the Betic awakening. The winger broke the local dominance at its highest moment, behind that Mayambela post, and the carom smiled at Ayoze.
By then Isco and Diao had already come into action and crashed into the crossbar at 1-0. However, Betis was not able to sleep the game, and Aris died killing, with a ball to Spoljaric’s post, in search of keeping tight a group that turns green and white at home and after three days.