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It wasn't a pretty game. Not at all. From this game, which showed so little, emerged a great Isco, who became the leader of Betis and was once again named the best player of the game. The man from Malaga fought and, above all, made the times against a team from Mallorca that looked a bit hungover after reaching the cup semi-finals. Five months later, on the first matchday of the league, Betis won again away from home. At home, thanks to Isco, a great hit from Altimira and some excellent group work. Mallorca, who had gone nine games without defeat in Son Moix, were eliminated fairly despite having some clear chances through Abdón Prats.
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Predrag Rajkovic, Valjent (Dani, Min. 57), Raíllo, Lato (Jaume Costa, Min. 79), Giovanni González, Nastasic, Manu Morlanes (Javi Llabrés, Min. 79), Samuel Costa (Omar Mascarell, Min. 36) , Darder, Abdón Prats and Cyle Larin (Muriqi, min. 57)
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Rui Silva, Abner, Sokratis, Héctor Bellerín, Pezzella (Ricardo Visus, Min. 45), Johnny, Luiz Henrique, Sergi Altimira, Isco Alarcón, Assane Diao and Fekir (Willian José, Min. 66)
Goals 0-1 min 46: Sergi Altimira.
referee Javier Iglesias Villanueva
Yellow cards: Lato (min. 75), Rui Silva (min. 78) and Jaume Costa (min. 94)
Betis' victory is very meritorious and allows the club to move closer to sixth place in Europe, while at the same time licking its wounds: there are 12 losses and yesterday the transfer of Borja Iglesias to Bayer Leverkusen was completed.
Betis arrived in Mallorca in dire straits after losing 4-2 to Barcelona last matchday. The rather weak Verdiblancos supported their football, as almost always in Isco, in top form. And also with Fekir, who played as a striker and gradually regained his best level after his serious injury. I expected a strong Mallorca at home, where they had not lost in their last nine league games (seven draws and two defeats). The locals also faced a clash in which morale soared after qualifying for the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Mallorca were slightly better in the first half, but it was marked by a great shot from Altimira, who beat Rajkovic from distance in the 46th minute. Abdón Prats sent the ball onto the crossbar with a good header, but the ones who won at halftime were the green and white team.
Pezzella was injured at Betis and Visus, a central defender in the reserve team, came on as a substitute. Mallorca didn't take advantage of it, with no ideas and Darder was pretty weak. Isco showed a brilliant performance in keeping the ball against the attacks of some Mallorca players who had to bow to their hierarchy. Only Abdón Prats had a clear chance. Betis, well positioned at the back, fended off numerous balls into the Mallorcan area. “We had more possession and created more chances,” but it wasn’t the right day, Aguirre said. “After eliminating Girona they came in with a lot of confidence but we did very well. We took the lead and, unlike in other games, knew how to hold on to the goal. We were very committed,” said Manuel Pellegrini, Betis coach.
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