Betis-Bilbao

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Calderón: We’ll stay with the system we used on Thursday

Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón suggested he will stick with the same approach against Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday, that saw his team get off to a flying start against Rubin Kazan in midweek.

Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Athletic Club Bilbao in La Liga, Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón suggested that he now has a preferred tactical approach in place, which will be akin to that which started the Europa League game against Rubin Kazan in midweek.

“I will be trying to maintain a certain system. I don’t like changing things every weekend. In principal, aside from any last minute thoughts, we’ll stay with the system we used on Thursday.”

One key ingredient, if Betis are to have any hopes of avoiding relegation, will be on loan forward Leo Baptistao in his best form. Calderón assured that the player is almost fully fit and pleased with the improved energy the player is showing.

“He’s in better physical shape now. A striker must have the strength to accelerate. In the second half of the game on Thursday he tired, because he was really pushing himself with his efforts. The most important thing though, is that we can see he has that strength of effort, that a striker needs.”

The first half against Rubin Kazan was excellent from Betis, which is what Calderón hopes his team can repeat for the duration of the game against Athletic.

“It will be important for us to repeat good actions, like those of the first half on Thursday. Balance is the key. Athletic have suffered a dip, but they’re used to practically winning all the time. They’re a mobile team who set themselves out for an attacking game, so we’ll have to run as hard as they do, if we want to win.”

Finally and when asked about the recent fan protests, as well as the poor turnout at the Benito Villamarín for the Europa League game, Calderón was grateful for those who did come, whilst stressing that it’s up to the team to generate positive feelings for the supporters in the stands.

“We cannot ask anything of our fans. Without the fans, we’re nothing. The fans have always responded at difficult times and they will keep doing so. We have to give them times of joy, at the very least, with the sort of play we showed in the first half on Thursday. We have to win this coming game, because we know the importance it has. The fans always ask for and demand more and given our situation, that’s only fair. We can only give them our thanks and try to give them more moments of joy.”

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Re: Betis-Bilbao

Valverde: The game at Betis will be dramatic and tense

Athletic Club Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde expects a tense game away at Real Betis on Sunday, underlining that his team must also feel the same urgency to claim the three points, as their opponents undoubtedly will.

Ernesto Valverde made it clear that whilst Betis are fighting for their lives in La Liga, his own team must also view the match with the same importance, because they’re fighting for fourth place and passage to the Champions League.

“On Sunday at the Villamarín, we can’t let anyone down and I think that’s how they’ll be feeling too. Like everyone, we’ll play on. We’ve all got much to play for. With this small run we’re on of three games without winning, we would like to get three points, because that would give us much. Betis are looking to get out of their situation and they’re running out of time. Both teams have much to play for.”

Much has been said about the apparent collapse of morale that Betis seem to suffer, when they concede goals. Valverde was asked if it’s crucial therefore, that his team strikes their opponents an early blow on Sunday, so they can control the game.

“When a team is in that sort of situation, it seems like every goal against them is a huge blow, like they suffered at Granada, but they can always recover. The history of La Liga is littered with examples of teams that everyone thought was doomed to relegation, who have then turned things around and saved themselves. It’s hard to say if that will happen for Betis or not though.”

“They’re playing in a competition that we would have liked to ourselves, the Europa League. Betis have a team that should be much higher than they are, but has fallen into a negative dynamic. We have a lot of respect for our opponent, but we have to go there to win, because we also need to win.”

There was also no doubts in the mind of Valverde, just how tight a game it could be at the Benito Villamarín.

“The game on Sunday will be dramatic and tense. That’s why we must have the feeling of need, just like they do, to get something more from the game. The teams who have that feeling of need are closer to getting something. We need to be overwhelmed by the need to win.”

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Re: Betis-Bilbao

Team News: Real Betis vs. Athletic Club Bilbao

Real Betis are still desperately fighting for their lives, as another week rolls by, they remain rooted to the bottom of La Liga and eleven points adrift of safety. The need for victory today, cannot be understated. Athletic Club Bilbao stand in their way at the Benito Villamarín today, with a strong need for the three points themselves, keen to reinforce their current 4th position and their chances of securing Champions League football next season.

Real Betis vs. Athletic Club Bilbao XI

Real Betis XI: Adán; Juanfran, Perquis, N’Diaye, Dídac; Lolo Reyes; Nono, Salva Sevilla; Baptistao, Rubén Castro, Cedrick.

Subs: Pedro, Chica, Matilla, Chuli, Nosa, Jordi, Juanma.


Athletic Club Bilbao XI: Iraizoz; Iraola, San José, Gurpegui, Balenziaga; Rico, Iturraspe, Herrera; Susaeta, Sola, Muniaín.

Subs: Herrerín, Morán, De Marcos, Albizua, Etxeita, Saborit, Guillermo.

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Re: Betis-Bilbao

Oh oh here we go again 0 - 1 (pen.) Iker Muniain Bilbao

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0 - 2 Fernandez Hierro Guillermo

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Real Betis 0-2 Athletic Club Bilbao: Referee costs Betis possible points

Athletic Club Bilbao defeated hosts Real Betis 2-0 on Sunday with Guillermo scoring his first goal for the senior side, yet it was referee Gil Manzano who stole the spotlight with many questionable decisions.

Lolo Reyes the second man sent off for Betis

After a string of disappointing performances, Athletic Club Bilbao were looking to turn things around when they traveled to the Benito Villamarin on Sunday to take on Real Betis.

The hosts, who are currently sitting at the very bottom of the table, were also looking to win some important points. But it would prove to be a long night for the boys in green.

As the game began, Betis looked sharp. Early chances from Cedrick and Sevilla put Athletic on the back foot and caused problems. But the Basques held their ground and began to push back.

After 10 minutes of play, the visitors had taken control of the match and nearly opened up the scoring when Kike Sola sent a promising effort at goal that was miraculously saved by Antonio Adan.

Several minutes later Adan was called into action again as Susaeta and Gurpegui tried to find the back of the net.

Play would even out after the first 20 minutes with Cedrick and Castro leading the charge for the home side. Yet, the wall in front of Iraizoz stayed true and did not give anything easy.

After the first half hour, things would start to go badly. Referee Gil Manzano began making some odd calls and put the home side in danger when he dished out three yellow cards in the space of three minutes.

Mikel Balenziaga would be taken down in the box, though the call was questionable, leading to an Athletic penalty. Iker Muniain stepped up and slotted the ball past the keeper to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.

The only other bit of action that took place in the first half was the sending off of Perquis who received his second yellow card after a challenge on Balenziaga.

Real Betis came out of the gates firing in the second half. Cedrick and Ruben Castro forced Iraizoz to make a few good saves and it was clear that the home side would not go down without a fight.

However, on the eve of the hour mark tragedy would strike again. The referee showed a second yellow card to Lolo Reyes and Betis were down to only nine men.

The rest of the second half played out as you would expect it to. Betis countered when they could, but Athletic had their foot on the gas looking to seal the win with more goals.

With the home side focusing on defense it seemed as though the game was over with 30 minutes left to play, but there would be one last piece of action.

Athletic youngster Guillermo (20) would come on in the 80’ and immediately make his own history. In less than a minute of play, Susaeta whipped in a lovely cross that found the head of Guillermo who calmly placed the ball into the near corner to double the lead for the Lions.

It was Guillermo’s first ever goal with the first-team and the strike that would seal the match. Athletic took all three points in their 2-0 victory and moves four points clear of rivals for fourth in the table, while Betis moved ever closer to relegation.

Real Betis 0-2 Athletic Club Bilbao

Referee: Gil Manzano

Real Betis XI: Adan, Juanfran, Perquis, N’Diaye, Vila, Nono (60’), Reyes, Baptistao (45’), Sevilla, Cedrick (66’), Castro

Subs: Figueras (45’), Nosa (60’), Matilla (66’)

Yellow Cards: Castro (31’), Perquis (33’), Reyes (33’), Perquis (41’ RED), Sevilla (55’), Reyes (58’ RED)

Athletic Club Bilbao XI: Iraizoz, Iraola, Gurpegui, San Jose, Balenziaga, Iturraspe, Rico (68’), Susaeta (89’), Herrera, Muniain (80’), Sola

Goals: Muniain (34’PEN), Guillermo (81’)

Subs: De Marcos (68’), Guillermo (80’), Saborit (89’)

Yellow Cards: Muniain (78’)

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Re: Betis-Bilbao

After the lost today against Bilbao with 2-0 it is all over now.We are down and out.
We are going down again.
The club is in a mess but we the fans are the best in Spain!

La Liga we are coming back!!

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Re: Betis-Bilbao

Valverde: Playing against nine, we felt like the match was equal

Athletic Bilbao manager, Ernesto Valverde admitted that his side’s 0-2 win over Real Betis was “ugly” and that when the Andalusians went down to nine men, it made the match more even, as Betis were playing far superior up to the first expulsion.

In his post-match press conference, Valverde spoke about the match and the advantage they had.

“It was an ugly game, against nine men, we felt like the game was even.

“We took advantage of the misfortunes of our rivals. I saw a possible penalty on Ruben Castro, but (referee Gil Manzano) didn’t call it, but Perquis’ foul was a clear penalty because he went in to do harm.”

Valverde went on to add that he feels his side were lacking in the attack and despite the win, their performance was disappointing.

“I have the feeling that our attack could’ve done more. Although we dominated, our play wasn’t fluid and I felt that they could have drawn even at any given set piece.”

The Basque coach concluded by praising the performance of several of his players.

“Muniain had been shooting penalties well in practice this week, which is why he took the one today.

“Guillermo has been scoring well in the reserves and he can help us a lot because he’s a goal-scorer.”