REAL SOCIEDAD-BETIS | Without revenge and without Champions

Distribution of points at the Reale Arena between Real Sociedad and Real Betis. The duel of the ‘outsiders’ of the fight for the Champions League remained in a kind of null combat. Because facing that dream, it is of little use to these two teams separated by two points in the table, in which they occupy sixth and fifth place. Although if we look at the European struggle, it can be said that things remain the same, although we must not despise a point against a direct rival in the absence of six league games, with the prevailing equality in this final stretch. It was the Real who sought more the prize of the goal, who played with a little more daring; and Betis the one that defended itself with more zeal and success. But the Real lacked clarity in the final meters, and Betis a little more intention in their game, which has a lot, but did not show it off in Donostia. All in all, both teams played with a lot of respect, as if they had the handbrake on, perhaps more thinking about what they don’t want to lose, and not looking at everything they could win. So the donostiarras were left without the desired revenge, and Betis was left without sleeping in Champions positions. Although the Champions League is also for the people of San Sebastian, who could have hunted down Atlético de Madrid. The dream of the jackpot is still alive, but already pending what the colchoneros do over the weekend. It was a tense, intense and disputed duel, whichended with the strange expulsion of David Silva, that the visit of Barcelona next Thursday is lost; but it started with another embarrassing show by a group of people who cannot be called Real fans. Enough of tarnishing this beautiful sport. Let’s see if they realize that they have no place, that nobody wants them here.

In the first half, it was Real Sociedad that dominated the match, having more possession and better chancesbut with the aim misaligned, especially Alexander Isak, who was the one who generated the most danger throughout the first 45 minutes, with three very clear chances. First at the start, a deep pass that beat Bartra in the race, but his shot went too cross. Later, another pass inside the area by David Silva that the Swede did not take advantage of, because he bites into Bravo’s body. And finally another shot from the front that went over the Betis goal.

LaLiga Santander

*Data updated as of April 15, 2022

The Real dominated, but Betis did not shrink, and also responded, through an inspired Fekir, who led the Betis team’s attacking actions. The best chance was for Willian Carvalho, with a shot from the edge of the box that went wide when he had everything going for him. Pezzella was also able to score with a header that went straight into Remiro’s hands. The Verdiblancos, who had little of the Verdiblancos because of the kit, tried to put together their game, but the Realists were very intense in the pressure, and stole the ball in danger zones. And for its part, the high pressure of Betis had no effect, because Real was successful when it came to taking the ball from behind. But the result did not budge and the break was goalless at the Reale Arena.

After the break, the script did not change practically anything, although Betis was the first to approach Remiro’s goal, with a shot from the edge of Guido Rodríguez which went slightly off course. But later the Real returned to take control of the operations, especially through the game between the lines of a lucid and very participatory Silva. The canary was the key piece of the Real game, teaming up with Merino and throwing Rico and Gorosabel down the flanks, though their crosses lacked precision. Neither Isak nor Sorloth could finish off their services, and there were a few. However, unlike the first period, it was difficult for Real to create more scoring chances.

Imanol’s team had possession of the ball, they reached the three-quarter line well, but they lacked real dangerous actions. Isak finished off a lateral cross upstairs, Januzaj put a poisoned center that Bartra deflected in the mouth of the goal and Sorloth, in a great individual action, shot from outside the area, but his shot went to a corner. The Norwegian is arriving plugged into the final stretch of the season, curdling remarkable performances. Although it still lacks the definition to put a real shine on it. In fact, Isak was replaced before Sorloth. But removing those arrivals with relative danger, the rest was much noise and few nuts. La Real provided football, Betis the defense. Because the defensive work of the Betis team was outstanding. Joaquín tried to stretch his team in attack, and Fekir had a dangerous shot from the edge of the box. And that’s it. That was Betis in attack. Because neither Juanmi, nor Borja Iglesias, nor Willian José appeared at the end. La Real dominated, but did not scare too much. A good game came together, but it was not enough to fulfill his revenge for the goals he had received this season. And the fight for Europe remains the same.