Marcelino introduces seven new features in Athletic's starting eleven for the league duel against Betis which begins at 8 pm today at the Villamarín. The casualties, especially in defense, weigh down a rojiblanco team that has just lost the Cup final against Barça by a landslide (0-4) at La Cartuja. Two weeks earlier, in the same scenario, they also lost to Real in the final of the KO tournament corresponding to last season.
Betis, that accumulates three consecutive draws, form with Bravo; Emerson, Mandi, Bartra, Miranda; Guido, Channels; Aitor Ruibal, Fekir, Tello; and Borja Iglesias. Joel, Montoya, Paul, Víctor Ruiz, Juanmi, Sidnei, William, Alex Moreno, Loren, Joaquín, Guardado and Lainez will sit on the green-and-white bench.
Marcelino, for his part, starts at the Verdiblanco stadium with Unai Simon; De Marcos, Nuñez, Balenziaga, Lekue; Berenguer, Vencedor, Vesga, Morcillo; Sancet and Villalibre. The rojiblanca squad, from which Iñigo Martínez fell this morning due to gastroenteritis, is completed with Ezkieta, Unai López, Dani García, Ibai, Williams, Raúl García, Iñigo Vicente and Bernaola. The latter, a Bilbao Athletic midfielder, occupies the place left at the last minute by the international defender. Capa, by cards, and Yeray, Yuri and Muniain, by injury, have not even traveled to Seville.
ANDhe Villamarín clash will be refereed by Medié Jiménez, of the Catalan Committee. Betis is sixth in the table with 48 points, 11 more than Athletic, which is in eleventh place.