Betis back to basics, as Rubén Castro strikes twice
A stubborn looking Real Betis side with a different playing system, went back to basics, made no mistakes at the back and claimed victory thanks to a goal from talismanic striker, Rubén Castro.
Rubén Castro celebrates Betis win against Espanyol
A new shape to Real Betis, as they set out with a 5-4-1 system with three central defenders, but the early impressions weren’t the most inspiring, as the team seemed to struggle to get to grips with the new system. Espanyol were showing signs of early dominance, but perhaps most pertinent for the home side, was they were holding firm at the back.
The first chance of the game did fall to Betis however, as a good forward move was strung together in the 8th minute, culminating in an effort just wide from Salva Sevilla. Still Espanyol were looking threatening, even if their final ball wasn’t quite there.
After in which the two teams battled for possession and in which there were was a distinct lack of penetration offensively, the next chance of the game came once more for Betis in the 24th minute. A good cross from Juanfran from the right, caught on the volley by Rubén Castro, although not with his usual precision and wide.
Though they still threatened, it just wasn’t happening for Espanyol in the final third, whilst Betis were defending resolutely in numbers and taking absolutely no risks. Neither side could seemingly break the deadlock and the game was entrenched this way, right up to the interval.
As the first half had ended, so began the second, but eventually in the 52nd minute, Betis had their third chance of the game. A lovely cross from Verdú spotting the darting run of Rubén Castro towards the near post and though he managed to make a first-time strike, it was agonisingly just wide. Espanyol for their efforts, still couldn’t find a way through at the other end.
After Juanfran saw a speculative effort whiz over the crossbar from distance, on the hour mark, Betis opted to make a change, with Baptistao replacing Chuli for some fresh attacking impetus. Espanyol followed suit in the 62nd minute, with Stuani on for Córdoba.
Sergio García was looking the most threatening of the Espanyol forward, but it seemed like every time he received the ball, Betis débutante N’Diaye was there on top of him, cutting out the options. Aguirre looked for further options from the bench, first with Abraham replacing David López in the 67th minute, then with Fuentes for Víctor Álvarez in the 70th minute.
Finally the deadlock was broken in the 70th minute and having been the only side to create any real danger thus far, it was Real Betis who deservedly took the lead. A powerful strike from distance by Lolo Reyes hit the frame of the Espanyol goal, with the predatory instincts of Rubén Castro doing the rest, as he gobbled up the rebound.
Having used up all his substitute options, Aguirre was far from impressed on the Espanyol touchline, but his side tried to offer an immediate reaction, albeit without effect in the final third, before Betis made their second change of the game, as Calderón brought on Nosa for Salva Sevilla in the 77th minute. Two minutes later and Nosa managed to get what was only the second shot on target in the entire game, but Casilla was comfortably able to save.
The best chance of the game arrived for Espanyol in the 82nd minute, as Stuani forced his way between two Betis defenders and had the goal at his mercy, only to produce a woefully poor finish over the crossbar. In the 84th minute, misfortune for Betis as Nosa, who had only entered the game from the bench several minutes earlier, had to be replaced after picking up an injury he couldn’t recover from. His replacement, Matilla.
The nervousness around the Benito Villamarín was a tangible, breathing thing, as the home fans desperately hoped their team could hold out for the win. Espanyol were likewise desperate to find a leveller and were throwing everything they could into attack. Ultimately though, as the visitors left more spaces open at the back, a lethal Betis counter-attack brought about the killer blow in the 88th minute. Rubén Castro collecting the final ball and driving a low and powerful strike, past the outstretched hand of Castilla. All fears instantly disappeared amongst the fans in the stands, with celebrations ringing around the stadium for what seemed the first time, in a very long time.
Three priceless points for Real Betis, two goals for Rubén Castro, both at the most crucial of times as the Andaluz side will hope their Gabriel Calderón rescue mission is now well on its way. As for Espanyol, they simply had no cutting edge at all in the final third, which will be worrying for manager Javier Aguirre.
Real Betis 2-0 Espanyol
Referee: Muñiz Fernández
Real Betis XI: Adán; Juanfran, Amaya, N’Diaye, Jordi Figueras, Juan Carlos; Salva Sevilla (77′), Lolo Reyes, Verdú, Chuli (60′), Rubén Castro.
Goals: Rubén Castro (71′, 88′)
Subs: Baptistao (60′), Nosa (77′(84′), Matilla (84′)
Yellow Cards: Salva Sevilla (49′), Lolo Reyes (53′), Jordi Figueras (74′)
Espanyol XI: Casilla; J.López, Colotto, H.Moreno, V.Álvarez (70′); R.Rodríguez, D.López (67′), V.Sánchez, Simao; Córdoba (62′), S.García.
Goals:
Subs: Stuani (62′), Abraham (67′), Fuentes (70′)
Yellow Cards: V.Sánchez (69′)
A stubborn looking Real Betis side with a different playing system, went back to basics, made no mistakes at the back and claimed victory thanks to a goal from talismanic striker, Rubén Castro.
Rubén Castro celebrates Betis win against Espanyol
A new shape to Real Betis, as they set out with a 5-4-1 system with three central defenders, but the early impressions weren’t the most inspiring, as the team seemed to struggle to get to grips with the new system. Espanyol were showing signs of early dominance, but perhaps most pertinent for the home side, was they were holding firm at the back.
The first chance of the game did fall to Betis however, as a good forward move was strung together in the 8th minute, culminating in an effort just wide from Salva Sevilla. Still Espanyol were looking threatening, even if their final ball wasn’t quite there.
After in which the two teams battled for possession and in which there were was a distinct lack of penetration offensively, the next chance of the game came once more for Betis in the 24th minute. A good cross from Juanfran from the right, caught on the volley by Rubén Castro, although not with his usual precision and wide.
Though they still threatened, it just wasn’t happening for Espanyol in the final third, whilst Betis were defending resolutely in numbers and taking absolutely no risks. Neither side could seemingly break the deadlock and the game was entrenched this way, right up to the interval.
As the first half had ended, so began the second, but eventually in the 52nd minute, Betis had their third chance of the game. A lovely cross from Verdú spotting the darting run of Rubén Castro towards the near post and though he managed to make a first-time strike, it was agonisingly just wide. Espanyol for their efforts, still couldn’t find a way through at the other end.
After Juanfran saw a speculative effort whiz over the crossbar from distance, on the hour mark, Betis opted to make a change, with Baptistao replacing Chuli for some fresh attacking impetus. Espanyol followed suit in the 62nd minute, with Stuani on for Córdoba.
Sergio García was looking the most threatening of the Espanyol forward, but it seemed like every time he received the ball, Betis débutante N’Diaye was there on top of him, cutting out the options. Aguirre looked for further options from the bench, first with Abraham replacing David López in the 67th minute, then with Fuentes for Víctor Álvarez in the 70th minute.
Finally the deadlock was broken in the 70th minute and having been the only side to create any real danger thus far, it was Real Betis who deservedly took the lead. A powerful strike from distance by Lolo Reyes hit the frame of the Espanyol goal, with the predatory instincts of Rubén Castro doing the rest, as he gobbled up the rebound.
Having used up all his substitute options, Aguirre was far from impressed on the Espanyol touchline, but his side tried to offer an immediate reaction, albeit without effect in the final third, before Betis made their second change of the game, as Calderón brought on Nosa for Salva Sevilla in the 77th minute. Two minutes later and Nosa managed to get what was only the second shot on target in the entire game, but Casilla was comfortably able to save.
The best chance of the game arrived for Espanyol in the 82nd minute, as Stuani forced his way between two Betis defenders and had the goal at his mercy, only to produce a woefully poor finish over the crossbar. In the 84th minute, misfortune for Betis as Nosa, who had only entered the game from the bench several minutes earlier, had to be replaced after picking up an injury he couldn’t recover from. His replacement, Matilla.
The nervousness around the Benito Villamarín was a tangible, breathing thing, as the home fans desperately hoped their team could hold out for the win. Espanyol were likewise desperate to find a leveller and were throwing everything they could into attack. Ultimately though, as the visitors left more spaces open at the back, a lethal Betis counter-attack brought about the killer blow in the 88th minute. Rubén Castro collecting the final ball and driving a low and powerful strike, past the outstretched hand of Castilla. All fears instantly disappeared amongst the fans in the stands, with celebrations ringing around the stadium for what seemed the first time, in a very long time.
Three priceless points for Real Betis, two goals for Rubén Castro, both at the most crucial of times as the Andaluz side will hope their Gabriel Calderón rescue mission is now well on its way. As for Espanyol, they simply had no cutting edge at all in the final third, which will be worrying for manager Javier Aguirre.
Real Betis 2-0 Espanyol
Referee: Muñiz Fernández
Real Betis XI: Adán; Juanfran, Amaya, N’Diaye, Jordi Figueras, Juan Carlos; Salva Sevilla (77′), Lolo Reyes, Verdú, Chuli (60′), Rubén Castro.
Goals: Rubén Castro (71′, 88′)
Subs: Baptistao (60′), Nosa (77′(84′), Matilla (84′)
Yellow Cards: Salva Sevilla (49′), Lolo Reyes (53′), Jordi Figueras (74′)
Espanyol XI: Casilla; J.López, Colotto, H.Moreno, V.Álvarez (70′); R.Rodríguez, D.López (67′), V.Sánchez, Simao; Córdoba (62′), S.García.
Goals:
Subs: Stuani (62′), Abraham (67′), Fuentes (70′)
Yellow Cards: V.Sánchez (69′)