Villarreal - Real Betis

[joaquin17ireland]

Just to keep this really, really simple.

Do you think we can finally win a game in La Liga this season?

Away to Getafe, Villarreal and Barcelona and home to Real Madrid and Sevilla are really, really tough games. If we can finish this run of games with some confidence then we can start taking points from the other sides. We've proved we can play very well, even against superior opposition, and all we need now is a slight bit of luck to set us on a run. I'm very optimistic about this season.

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

I think we will get our first win against Villarreal.And an midtable finish will do for me this season.

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

La Liga Preview: Villarreal – Real Betis

What: La Liga, Round 6
Who: Villarreal (2nd, 13pts) v Real Betis (18th, 2pts)
When: Saturday 4th October, 2100
Where: El Madrigal

Villarreal, right now, are getting the results they need. They are playing a moderate level of skilful, attacking football, and upon getting the advantage, superbly stifle the opposition to get see the match out in their favour.

Their play has perhaps not been as flamboyant as last season, but it appears to be equally effective. Unbeaten so far on all fronts, joint top of La Liga and with four points from six in their Champions League section, coach Pellegrini could not have dreamed for a more efficient start, particularly after the disarray of the close season, when results were shocking.

Winning, but not convincing.

They appear to have adopted an almost Italian attitude towards victory - get the lead you need and then soak up the pressure, hitting your opponents on the counter.
After Marcos Senna fired them spectacularly ahead versus Celtic on Tuesday, they did exactly this - and the Glasgow side barely got a glimpse of goal in the half hour that remained.

When you have attacking flair the likes of Senna, Cazorla and Rossi, you simply know your side will create chances, and while perhaps there have been opportunities missed to make their victories more convincing (i.e. the 1-0 wins over Celtic and Deportivo, and the 2-1 win at Numancia) they have not mattered because the team are content in the knowledge that they will concede very little at the other end of the field.

The reason for this? Simply, Diego Lopez is an excellent goalkeeper, and in Ángel and Joan Capdevila they have two full-backs who can push on as well as be vigilant in their defensive duties.

Godín appears to have settled in next to Gonzalo Rodriguez at centre-back, and the versatile Edmílson can slot back there comfortably if required. It is a solid, uncompromising, experienced back 5 that have laid the foundation of their success so far this season.

But then you can argue that, Manchester United aside, Villarreal haven't really faced a side who should cause them genuine concern.

Racing? They looked good last season but have started poorly, and were easily dealt with at El Madrigal in a 2-0 victory.

Celtic? Qualifiers for the last 16 of the Champions league in the past two seasons, but their horrendous away record is well documented. Villarreal could and should have won by more. Numancia, Deportivo, Sporting? None of these sides should have the attacking prowess to worry a team with title aspirations, and none of them really did - despite Numancia taking the lead before succumbing 2-1, the Yellow Submarines always looked far superior.

Paco Pleads For Patience

So are Real Betis the acid test? They themselves haven’t started well, taking four matches to simply score a goal. But in their last two matches, against Real Madrid and Barcelona, they have been unlucky to come away with nothing. Los Merengues needed a last-gasp strike from Van Nistelrooy to take all three points last Saturday, while at the Nou Camp, Betis came from 2-0 down to draw level, only for Gudjohnsen to grab a rather fortunate winner near the end.

There is attacking potential at Betis, and now José Mari has found the target (two goals in two games now) he should be in confident mood. Edu, their talisman, is also fully recovered from injury, but there are still doubts as to whether he will be fit enough to start the match. It will be a welcome sight to everyone involved with Betis to see their key player back in action.

But can they really expect anything at El Madrigal? Coach Paco Chaparro has asked fans to be patient, explaining that a combination of bad luck and a tough run of fixtures (Sevilla, Barça, Real and Villarreal in consecutive weeks - yet another example of the bizarre alignment of matches that has also affected Racing and Sporting Gijón) has led to their current un-merited points tally. Poor results do cast doubt into the mind though, and even if Betis managed to sneak a goal, would they currently have the mental fortitude to see the match out?

Conversely, Villarreal haven't tasted defeat, and are playing with a swagger.
It will be interesting to see if Betis come and have a real go, or else go defensive and risk another goalless pointless outing. Here’s hoping it’s the former, and we see an open, exciting match.

FORM GUIDE

Villarreal

Sep 30th Villarreal 1-0 Celtic (Champions League)

Sep 27th Sporting Gijón 0-1 Villarreal (La Liga)

Sep 24th Villarreal 2-0 Racing Santander (La Liga)

Sep 21st Numancia 1-2 Villarreal (La Liga)

Sep 17th Man Utd 0-0 Villarreal (Champions League)

Real Betis

Sep 27th Real Betis 1-2 Real Madrid (LA LIGA)

Sep 24 FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Betis (LA LIGA)

Sep 21 Real Betis 0-0 Sevilla FC (LA LIGA)

Sep 14 Getafe 0-0 Real Betis (LA LIGA)

Aug 31 Real Betis 0-1 Recreativo Huelva (LA LIGA)

TEAM NEWS

Villarreal

Nihat could still be out after limping off with a thigh problem last weekend versus Sporting and missing the match against Celtic in midweek. Matías Fernández too was taken off injured in that match and he may struggle to make it in time. Otherwise the squad is fit, and once again due to their strength in depth, the likes of Pascal Cygan and Jozy Altidore may not even make the match squad.

Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Diego López; Ángel, Gonzalo, Godín, Capdevila; Cazorla, Senna, Edmilson, Eguren, Pirès; Rossi, Llorente

Real Betis

Edu has recovered from injury, but he may not be match fit for this encounter, despite the players’ best efforts – he may have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Xisco is a long term absentee, who will be out for at least another five weeks, and German David Odonkor will be missing even longer, to perhaps even the New Year.

Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Casto – Nélson, Arzu, Juanito, Monzón; Emana, Aurélio; Damía, Capi, Sergio García – José Mari

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Villarreal

Giuseppe Rossi is slowly edging back to sharpness, as his goal against Sporting and efforts against Celtic proved. Once at full capacity he can be the pivotal influence in their strikeforce, and he combines with Cazorla. He is itching to get back into the goalscoring groove.

Real Betis

José Mari has bagged a goal against both Madrid and Barcelona in the space of a week, and he looks more threatening as the season progresses. His powerful running could be an outlet for Betis tonight as they hope to take the game to their opponents.

[Béticomad1018]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

The last one of the 4 strong teams in 4 weeks. Soon, we will go up in the table.

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

The last one of the 4 strong teams in 4 weeks. Soon, we will go up in the table.

You are right.Better now than at the end of the competition.

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

Come on Betis !! Let's go for it

[joaquin17ireland]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

Come on Betis !! Let's go for it

I'm really looking forward to the game. I think we can take some points from Villarreal. Pity Sergio Garcia isn't available. Time for Pavone to step up?

[joaquin17ireland]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

Team:

Casto, Nelson, Arzu, Juanito, Fernando Vega, Mehmet Aurelio, Capi, Damiá, Mark González, Emana y José Mari.

We've done well in the opening five minutes of so; creating a couple of chances.

[joaquin17ireland]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

1-0! Gol del Damia. Great cross from Mark Gonzalez and Damia scores his first ever goal for Betis.

The second half is starting now. Let's hope that we can either hold on or double our lead.

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

How is it possible we lost this match.In the first half we must lead by 3 or 4 goals.Betis had so many 100% chances in the first half.In the 2nd half we give the match away in 1 minute.I think we made the mistake to give the initiatif to Villarreal.
Betis make me crazy with this kind of performances.

[angle_fbi]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

damn it

we could won this match

the first half we were very perfect !

we could score more than 4 golas but our team are not lucky !!

always betis do the same mistake .. we have a team can handle the match just for one half .. and the second half always we make the same mistake..


i made this photo just to let you know how i feel to betis

[angle_fbi]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

what i wrote it in the foto is mean:

CAUTION: watching betis for one half is the reason for heart attack .. pressure.. and nervous diseases

[Rottweiler]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

2-1: TERRIBLE 2ª PART

As it is possible so disastrously to be wasted best the 45 minutes of game of the present season? The answer we have it in the game of Betis against Villarreal in the Madrigal.

Betis playing of skillful form in almost the totality of first half before Villarreal of Champions at the mercy of the set verdiblanco.

In the first part it dominated Betis that it put the 0-1 in minute 20, builds of Damiá to it happens of Mark by the left band. The set of the thirteen bars had many opportunities to do the 2 or the 3 but Jose Mari it was very fallón facing portería and several defenses of Villarreal they removed it in the line of goal in two serves of corners that it could give but advantage us in the marker.

But everything changed in the second part. Betis it gave pain, one crawled in the field and Villarreal ate literally it. Short nonwise that to do whereas its men they suffered too much seized in its field until the goals arrived. And they were two in a minute, builds of Gonzalo (min. 69) and Guille Franco (min.70). And for but inri, Short extraction a Monsoon by Mark, it puts a Juanma in the left being a this right end and it maintains a Jose Mari 85 minutes and it removes to Bronzes single to play 7 minutes, we go of authenticates SHAME.

- Whichever opportunities we must give him liking to the equipment?

- BECAUSE AN EQUIPMENT PLAYING SINGLE ONE COMPETITION, IT HAS A FORM EXCREMENT PHYSICS?

Let us hope that for next party before Majorca MAS LIES DOWN to him EGGS that but we see another one temporadita of infarct.


www.manquepierda.tk

[angle_fbi]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

thank you rootweiler for the news

and this is a samll present and it means:

what ever and where ever betis will be.. betis will still into my heart

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Respuesta: Villarreal - Real Betis

Player Ratings: Villarreal 2 - 1 Real Betis

It was a lightning fight-back as Villarreal snatched an undeserved victory over Betis at El Madrigal, courtesy of two goals in as many second half minutes as Manuel Pellegrini's table toppers went clear at La Liga's summit. Here are the individual ratings for the fiercely contested encounter.

Villarreal:

Lopez - 7
Forced into numerous saves as Betis dominated the opening exchanges, and apart from a couple of hairy moments, he had a solid outing in goal

Venta - 6
Given a hard time by Gonazalez early on, but steadily improved and got forward more as the game went on

Godin - 6
A couple of major slip-ups allied with one or two vital challenges to save Villarreal's bacon.

Gonzalo - 7
Great to see him fit again, the Argentine centre-back's header was as good as it gets, and he will be pleased with his overall performanc, even if the backline was soft-centred for most of the first half

Angel - 5.5
Wouldn't have expected such a rough ride from Damia down the Betis right, but was second best to the Barca man for the most part, though he stuck to his task throughout.

Cazorla - 6
Pretty quiet from the Real Madrid summer target, and not as good as we've come to expect so far this season. Overshadowed by team-mate Ibagaza, but he became livelier amid his team's second half resurgence.

Senna - 6
Somewhat unlucky to be subbed off early in the second half, where teammate Eguren looked a more likely candidate. Failed to get a grip of a midfield that was largely dominated by Capi and Emana early on, though in truth it was a collective deficiency.

Eguren - 5
Caught horribly off guard by Emana in the first half, allowing the midfielder to surge through on goal, and failed to provide the defence with sufficient cover, causing more problems than he remedied.

Ibagaza - 8
Started well but faded in the first period, only to be the real matchwinner after the break, with two assists and an all-round excellent performance.

Rossi - 5
Did well to make something of a tough chance early on with an acrobatic volley, but faded thereafter and replaced by Pires soon after the break

Llorente - 6
In the goals of late, but never a sniff until what proved to be the winner. Couldn't miss his chance and received the ball purely by chance. He maintains a good scoring record nevertheless, but just could not make his presence felt during the match.

Subs

Pires - 7
Provided Villarreal with greater drive and quality in the final third immediately after his introduction.

Franco - 6
Provided more of a physical presence and unnerved Betis' centre-backs immediately.

Bruno - N/A


Betis

Casto - 6
No mistakes as such, and no chance with any of the goals, though he did not inspire confidence with his command of the area, while there appeared a problem with communication with the back four.

Nelson - 5.5
Got forward very well indeed down the right, but that left plenty of space to Ibagaza to run wild.

Juanito - 6
Cant be too critical of either centre back as, apart from two minutes, they were pretty comfortable. Juanito showed authority as always.

Arzu - 6
As above, though there was some static defending for the winner as everyone seemed to freeze, but the midfielder cum defender gave a solid enough performance.

Vega - 6.5
Made some key interventions and played a predominantly holding full-back role on the night, keeping Cazorla quiet, which is no mean feat.

Damia - 8
Produced over and above what many might have expected down the right hand side, and was involved in everything. Took his goal superbly.

Emana - 7.5
Another good outing from the imposing international, who seemed to run the midfield by himself in the first period after impressing against Barca last time out. Looked seriously peeved with the second half capitulation.

Aurelio - 5
If there is one thing Betis looked short of it was defensive cover from midfield, where Ibagaza went where he pleased and Pires found plenty of space when he came on. Aurelio went missing in the second half, and has yet to show his quality in the Betico shirt this season.

Capi - 7
Good performance from the local boy, who did his bit in defence and looked dangerous from free-kicks and in open play.

Gonzalez - 6.5
Started very well indeed and assisted for the goal, but faded away as the game went on

Jose Mari - 6
Did OK in a lone striker role that doesn't really suit him, and might have poached a goal if it were not for some last ditch defending.

Subs

Monzon - 5
Didnt get involved enough as Betis imploded in the second period.

Juanma N/A

Pavone N/A