Real Betis vs. Rubin Kazan

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Team News: Real Betis vs. Rubin Kazan

Real Betis finished second in their Europa League group, squeezing through to the final 32 of the competition and providing some joy for the fans, despite their dismal form in La Liga. Visiting Rubin Kazan coasted through their own group comfortably and the Russian side won’t be looking to show the Spaniards any mercy tonight, but can this cloud have a silver lining for Euro Betis?

Real Betis XI: Adán; Juanfran, N’Diaye, Perquis, Dídac; Lolo Reyes, Nosa; Leo Baptistao, Salva Sevilla, Cedrick; Chuli.
Subs: Pedro, Caro, Amaya, Nono, Juan Carlos, Jorge Molina, Rubén Castro

Rubin Kazan XI: Ryzhikov; Kuzmin, Sharonov, Burlak, Kislyak; M’Vila, Eremenko, Kulik; Karadeniz, Torbinski y Prudnikov

Subs: Arlauskis; Kverkvelia, Mavinga, César Navas, Mullin, Getigezhev, Mukhametshin.

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Re: Real Betis vs. Rubin Kazan

GOOOOOOOOOOL Real Betis Didac Vila 1-0

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Re: Real Betis vs. Rubin Kazan

****** 1-1 76 minute Roman Eremenko
But the positve thing is we didn't lost tonight.

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Re: Real Betis vs. Rubin Kazan

Real Betis 1-1 Rubin Kazan:

What the referee gives, he also takes away

Real Betis took an early lead through Dídac, as the Andaluz side got off to a good Europa League start and gave hope to the few home fans at the Benito Villamarín. Ambitions grew when Prudnikov saw red with less than half an hour played, but Betis couldn’t take their chances. With fifteen minutes to go, a penalty that never was, brought the equaliser for the Russians, with Eremenko striking from the spot.

The Betis socios protested at having to pay extra for a Europa League game, when their team was doing so poorly in La Liga, the club responded by offering free entry to all socios, but still the fans stayed away from the game against Rubin Kazan.

Betis celebrate Dídac goalWhistles from the faithful few that turned up as the teams took to the pitch, but they soon turned into cheers, as Betis took an early lead in just the third minute of play. Dídac Vila applying the finish after a good run into the Rubin area, as the Russian side’s defence fell apart.

Betis were looking good in that opening stage of the game. Solid at the back whenever Rubin looked to get forward quickly, with N’Diaye receiving an ovation for his good work cutting out dangerous passes through the middle, whilst posing more threats as they pushed forward themselves.

In the 18th minute, Baptistao set off on a marvellous run, cut inside the area and drove a powerful low drive on target, only to be denied by the fingertips of Rubin keeper Ryzhikof. Betis were still getting forward well as the game progressed and in the 22nd minute, Nosa had a good chance, but couldn’t strike his effort cleanly, wide of goal the outcome.

Prudnikov dismissed for RubinRubin striker Prudnikov then decided he’d make an impact on the game, but perhaps not in quite the way the Russian side were hoping for. A rough challenge in the 27th minute earned him a yellow card for a foul on Perquis. Then in the 28th minute, clearly not having taken his previous caution seriously enough, the referee presented him with a second and the red, after another poor tackle, this time on Juanfran.

On the half-hour, Perquis came close as a free-kick was launched into the area, but the Betis defender couldn’t quite steer his header on target. Still the home side pushed, looking to take advantage of their extra man. Cedrick with a good crack at goal in the 34th minute, but Ryzhikov once more showing good goalkeeping with another fine save.

Rubin weren’t completely out of the game though and Adán had to react quickly, when Torbinskiy went through on goal, but the Betis keeper managed to make the save with his chest in the 38th minute.

Approaching the interval, Betis were in full control once more. Baptistao was unlucky with a great effort from distance, but the ball didn’t dip in time to go anywhere other than just over the crossbar in the 42nd minute. The on-loan forward then turned provider in the next minute, demonstrating an excellent all-round display and setting up Cedrick, but though he beat the Rubin keeper, he couldn’t quite hit the target.

Betis were still dominant as they came out for the second half, with Rubin understandably conservative, parking the bus and looking for opportunities to hit on the counter.

Cedrick was denied by Ryzhikov, with the Russian keeper again producing a quality save to frustrate the home side in the 50th minute. Looking for another goal to strengthen their advantage though, Betis manager Calderón made movements from the bench, bringing on Rubén Castro for Chuli in the 53rd minute, looking for tried and tested cutting edge in attack.

Impatient for another goal, Betis fans singled out Nosa for their frustrations, with the Nigerian midfielder unfortunately receiving whistles whenever he made a mistake, particularly just after the hour mark, after his made the wrong choice with a misplaced pass.

Rubin seemed to rally with the discontent from the home supporters and in the 65th minute, they had a chance to draw level as Eremenko fired at goal, but not with enough behind his effort to cause Adán any problems with the save. That spurt of forward motion was short-lived though from the Russian side, as the next attacking opportunity came for Betis a moment later, with Salva Sevilla getting his shot on target, but unable to beat the keeper.

Mullin gave his place up for Kulik in the 67th minute, as Rubin made their first change of the game. Seconds later and amidst a woeful cacophony of whistles from the home crowd, the target of their derision Nosa was also substituted, head down as he left the pitch to be replaced by Nono.

Given the controversy over referees over recent days, the last thing that Betis needed was a dubious decision against them, with life for them tough enough as it is. That’s just what happened in the 72nd minute though. No disputing that Lolo Reyes fouled his opponent and was duly booked for that, but the Belgian referee also pointed to the penalty spot, when the incident was clearly outside the area. A huge mistake from the match official, amidst understandable complaints from the Betis players. Up stepped Eremenko in the 74th minute to level the game from the spot. What misfortune for the home side.

There was only one response now for Betis, as Calderón decided to bring on a second striker, as Lolo Reyes made way for Molina in the 78th minute. His first action wasn’t the one desired though, collecting a yellow card just as the game headed into the final ten minutes.

Though Betis pushed, they were deflated and couldn’t get any clear chances. The referee again the protagonist after pushing and shoving inside the Rubin area following a corner. Perquis for Betis, M’Vila and Torbinski into the book for Rubin, all in the 88th minute.

Into stoppage time, Dídac came close to restoring the lead, but couldn’t get his strike on target. Rubin were stalling for time now and in the final seconds of the game, their final substitution came with Kverkvelia on for Mullin. That was enough, as seconds later, the final whistle blew.



Real Betis 1-1 Rubin Kazan

Referee: Serge Gumienny (Belgium)

Real Betis XI: Adán; Juanfran, N’Diaye, Perquis, Dídac; Lolo Reyes (78′), Nosa (67′); Leo Baptistao, Salva Sevilla, Cedrick; Chuli (53′).

Goals: Dídac (3′)

Subs: Rubén Castro (53′), Nono (67′), Molina (78′)

Yellow Cards: Nosa (8′), Juanfran (32′), Lolo Reyes (72′), Perquis (88′)

Rubin Kazan XI: Ryzhikov; Kuzmin, Sharonov, Burlak, Kislyak; M’Vila, Kulik (67′); Karadeniz, Eremenko, Torbinski; Prudnikov.

Goals: Eremenko (74′ pen)

Subs: Mullin (67′) 94′), Kverkvelia (94′)

Yellow Cards: Prudnikov (27′, 28′ + red), M’Vila (88′), Torbinskiy (88′)

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Re: Real Betis vs. Rubin Kazan

Calderón: The referee changed the outcome of the game

Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón was furious with the decision by Belgian referee Serge Gumienny, who awarded Rubin Kazan a penalty for a foul that was outside the area, in an incident that practically mirrored the Demichelis-Messi decision, during the Manchester City-Barcelona game on Wednesday in the Champions League.

Clearly disappointed his side hadn’t claimed victory in the first-leg of their Europa League tie against Rubin Kazan, Betis manager Gabriel Calderón pointed at a lack of freshness from some of his players and a tight Russian defence, as reason for not having taken more of their chances, from a game they dominated.

“Some of our players are lacking a little rhythm. Rubin were very good physically and tight at the back. It was difficult for us to find spaces to cause them harm. That was down to a lack of freshness on our part.”

Calderón remains confident that despite the inhospitable weather conditions his team will encounter in the second-leg in Russia, they can still secure their passage to the next round.

“The chance will come because we can score in the second leg. We know we can win that game. We’re not used to the cold and the pitch conditions there, but we’ll have to adapt and aim to get through.”

As for the controversial penalty awarded, even though the foul by Lolo Reyes was clearly outside the area, Calderón was furious with the decision of the Belgian referee, suggesting that he’d favoured Rubin, hinting at bias.

“The linesman was in a position to see the play clearly. Everyone in the stadium could see it. It’s the obligation of the referee to see it. If everyone else has seen it, then he’s seen it too. He’s changed the outcome of the game. It’s a gift he’s given them that wasn’t fair. It’s like a goal being given, that isn’t a goal, favouring them to get through to the next round.”

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Re: Real Betis vs. Rubin Kazan

Molina: The linesman must have seen it

Real Betis forward Jorge Molina can’t believe the linesman didn’t have a clear view of the penalty incident, that gained Rubin Kazan their equaliser, leaving he and his side deeply disappointed they hadn’t been able to win the game.

Jorge Molina felt his side had done more than enough to beat Rubin Kazan in the first-leg of their Europa League tie at the Benito Villamarín, but admitted he was in a state of utter disbelief at the decision to award the Russian side a penalty, from a foul that was committed outside the area.

“The team had a very good first half, generating chances and keeping possession of the ball. In the second half, whilst it’s true that we haven’t controlled the ball as well and should have been more certain with the counter-attacks, everyone can see that the penalty was outside the area. The linesman must have seen it, because he was right in front of me when I was warming up and I saw it clearly.”

Clearly disappointed, Molina acknowledged that though they had the desire to win, it had been difficult against a Rubin Kazan side that parked the bus defensively, after the Russian side had been reduced to ten men in the first half.

“The 1-1 draw for Rubin is a very good result. Obviously they sat back and made it difficult for us to break their back line. We wanted to win for the fans who came, to get the win for them, but we weren’t able to.”

Next on the horizon for Real Betis is Athletic Club Bilbao at home in La Liga. Molina underlined that having faced them already in La Liga and the Copa del Rey this season, he expects another difficult encounter with the Basque side.

“On Sunday we have a game in La Liga against a difficult opponent. We’ve played against them three times against them this season and we know they’re going to be tough.”