LEVERKUSEN – BETIS | Diaby tears Betis to pieces

Betis could not with a faster, more effective and more intense Leverkusen in a date that moves the Verdiblancos away from the first place in group G of this Europa League. Manuel Pellegrini’s set was always far from its best version and was unable to control a rival led by a sensational Diaby, author of two goals and two assists that damage the Betic team at the gates of the derby against Sevilla. The first European place becomes almost a utopia for Betis, who will fight the second with Celtic and is already setting their sights on recovering to measure their strength this Sunday against the Julen Lopetegui team.

The meeting started with many parallels regarding the Villamarín duel. Betis’ forward lines invited Leverkusen’s quick offensive deployment. Diaby, Paulinho and Adli teamed up brilliantly in three quarters with the former testing Bellerín while Bartra suffered with Víctor Ruiz in the retreat. Betis wanted the ball, who gave their keys to Carvalho so that he could put more sanity in the battle. Those of Pellegrini exposed their intention to manufacture. Those of Seoane his desire to run. That’s what Adli was aiming for, who found the precise space to face Rui Silva and get past it before running into a Bartra clearance in the small area.

He played the green and white painting with fire, unable to capture the walls of his rival. Frimpong scored masterfully in another Bayer collective action but the full-back was offside and VAR stopped that 1-0. He arrived later, after an action by Fekir in which he did not get on with Bellerín and which led to a definitive counter. Wirtz entered on the left flank and his center found Diaby’s perfect shot on the opposite side. The Frenchman, summoned by Didier Deschamps for the next matches in France, effectively accentuated Betis’s visible defensive deficiencies.

Pellegrini pulled bravely after the break. He handed over the controls to Canales and the team wanted to pull their teeth. But Diaby was still collecting pipes and Demirbay to send at will. Borja Iglesias asked for a penalty in an action against Tapsoba but it was Leverkusen who ruled that the story should end. Another against lethal. Although it was not at first instance but after chain errors that allowed Diaby to appear from outside the area to hit the ball hard and beat Rui Silva again after a definitive rejection. The French were king at the Bay Arena. With spaces and without them.

Betis had courage, but not hit. He reached Hradecky’s goal with more danger, but neither Borja nor Fekir managed to find his way. The Frenchman collided with the post in a masterful free kick and there the strength of the Verdiblancos was exhausted, who began to think about avoiding greater damage. Joaquín, who started again in Europe, barely dodged the adversary pressure and Canales diluted with the passing of the minutes.

Neither Willian nor Juanmi delivered too many novelties on stage. The crash maintained intensity but it was already restrained. He wanted Betis, perhaps without power. His opponent looked at the clock, knowing that the countdown was inevitable. Bartra, who suffered at the back, had the option of closing the gap with a header that was stopped by Hradecky. But Florian Wirtz was missing to join the German party. Diaby acted as a luxury assistant this time and the attacker sentenced an erratic and ineffective Betis. Amiri then made it 4-0 in another lethal counter after another brilliant break from Diaby. Betis was a simple guest and his gaze was already directed to the derby this Sunday. Fekir and Demirbay left expelled after an avoidable loss of nerves and Pellegrini will have to change many things if he wants to cut a bad dynamic that comes at the worst possible moment.