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After an acceptable first half, Betis lost fairly to a more energetic Sparta, who made good use of Haraslin’s goal and confidently defended the subsequent Andalusian attack. With this defeat, which ends a 13-match unbeaten run for the Green and Whites, Betis is forced to win against Rangers at the Benito Villamarín on the final day of the group. If they win, they will advance as group winners, but will have to play a full final in mid-December. A weak Betis, where Fekir returned without rhythm and with an eleven full of substitutes (up to nine changes compared to the eleven that won against Las Palmas). The rotations didn’t go well for Manuel Pellegrini and his team missed a good chance to qualify for the round of 16. With a draw they would have qualified and the Andalusian team made the mistake of playing with a certain conservatism.
1
Peter Vindahl, Filip Panak, Ladislav Krejci, Martin Vitík, Kaan Kairinen, Qazim Laci, Jaroslav Zeleny, Angelo Preciado, Haraslin (Pesek, Min. 74), Veljko Birmancevic (Lukás Sadílek, Min. 82) and Jan Kuchta
0
Rui Silva, Pezzella, Marc Roca, Abner, Aitor Ruibal, Guardado (Willian José, min. 84), Guido Rodríguez, Abde (Ayoze Pérez, min. 70), Fekir (Isco Alarcón, min. 45), Assane Diao and Borja churches
Goals 1-0 min 53: Haraslin.
referee Nikola Dabanovic
Yellow cards Aitor Ruibal (min. 22), Veljko Birmancevic (min. 38), Pezzella (min. 69), Juan Miranda (min. 88) and Guido Rodríguez (min. 91)
Betis only missed a goal in the first half, where they exerted absolute dominance against a very timid Sparta. A Betis to which Fekir returned nine months later as a regular player and which thrived on the good play of Assane Diao, a true diamond in the rough at 18 years old. Betis warned with several shots on the Czech goal until Diao invented a great pass to Borja Iglesias. Vindahl blocked the green and white striker’s path to the goal. The out-of-shape Fekir blamed him for his long inactivity and only revealed details about his big class.
Sparta were much more intense and prevailed against Betis in the second half. The Andalusian team was not doing well at all and not even Isco’s replacement for Fekir gave them superiority. Haraslin scored a goal and the Betic team had to attack to equalize. Sparta defended itself with order, also helped by the lack of ideas on the part of Betis, who were too shallow. Nevertheless, Isco had two clear options to equalize. In the first half, defender Panak took the Málaga native’s shot flat, and later Isco’s own cross from the left wing almost surprised Vindahl. Pellegrini brought in plenty of starters down the home stretch, but Betis couldn’t find an answer against a very cautious rival. At the height of Betic’s misfortune, Guido saw a yellow card that will prevent him from playing against Rangers on the final day of the match.
Villarreal suffers but gets through the round
For their part, Villarreal were able to beat a Panathinaikos team that had already beaten them in La Cerámica in Greece. But they did it more laboriously than expected, having a three-goal lead – Baena, Comesaña and Morales were the scorers – and in a hurry at the end (3-2). They are already at least in the playoffs for the round of 16 and in the fight for first place in the group, three points behind Rennes with a game less, which would give them direct and safe passage.
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