Official Real Betis Thread

[Lance Knight]

Any news on Real Betis to be posted here

[Lance Knight]

Castellini joins Betis on five-year deal


MADRID, July 13 (Reuters) - Italian defender Paolo Castellini has joined Real Betis from Torino on a five-year contract, the Primera Liga club said on Tuesday.
'He was a player I had asked for,' said Betis coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer. 'He is a good professional and we all knew that he was very keen to join us and that's why we chose him.'


The 25-year-old left back, who played on loan at Serie A side Brescia last season, is the first player Betis have signed since the end of last season when they finished ninth in the Primera Liga.

Betis are also reported to be on the verge of reaching an agreement to sign Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira from Valencia.

The club received some bad news too on Tuesday when routine pre-season medical tests carried out on the squad showed that Brazilian international forward Denilson was still suffering from serious knee pain despite undergoing surgery earlier in the year to deal with the problem.

'It's a real set-back to our plans,' said Serra Ferrer. 'But we have to face up to it and there is certain to be another player who will be keen to take his place.'

[Lance Knight]

Recurring knee injury sidelines Denilson


MADRID, July 15 (Reuters) - Real Betis winger Denilson will miss the start of next season after undergoing surgery to deal with a knee injury, medical staff said on Thursday.
'This should mean that the player will have no further knee pain next season,' said Doctor Santiago Perez Hidalgo.


The doctor said the Brazilian international midfielder would be out of action for between two and three months.

Denilson, 26, missed the end of last season after undergoing a similar operation on the same knee.

The Spanish season is due to get underway on the last weekend of August, but the calendar has yet to be given official approval by the football authorities.

[Lance Knight]

Numancia 1-1 Betis Sevilla: FT Report

PA

SORIA, August 28 (Primera Liga) - Lacklustre performances from both sides saw this drab, uninspiring game result in a share of the spoils, and little else.

Real Betis took the initiative in the opening 10 minutes, gaining a firm grip in midfield.

Numancia seemed to be lacking in communication, as they struggled to lift their standards to those of the visitors.

Finally, they began to string a few passes together but it was Betis who bounced back with the game's first real chance.

It came in the 14th meeting when the Seville club forced a corner. The ball was headed goalwards and unmarked Fernandez Fernando fired the ball into the Numancia net.

However, the joy of the Betis players was quickly quelled after the referee ruled that both Juan Juanito and Fernando were offside when the ball crossed the line so it was disallowed.

Numancia, who had begun to produce several chances, took the lead in the 20th minute.

After excellent approach play Juan Luis Juanlulu hit a low, hard, just outside the keeper's reach.

Numancia could have added to their tally with one or two more goals in the remainder of the first half, but the Betis keeper, Antoni Prats, made some crucial saves.

In first half injury time, however, it was Betis, who having been completely dominated, manage to score through a Fernandez Fernando header.

Midfielder Marcos Assuncao, relishing the more forward role that coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer had given him, floated over a free kick from the right.

Fernando rose high in the eight-yard box to head past the stranded keeper. It was a very well timed goal before the teams returned to the changing rooms.

Both teams started the second half at a very lazy pace.

Neither side showed an initiative and the game was threatening to turn sour from the crowd's point of view.

In the 54th minute, Numacia's Luis Garcia Tevernet sums up the mood, blasting a free kick from 35 yards well over the bar.

Numancia relied on a direct route to goal with few passes, but the policy was easily dealt with by the Betis defence.

Five minutes from time, Numancia defender tried his luck on goal from 30 yards but his shot ballooned into the crowd, confirming their worst fears.

It was a bitterly disappointing second half with both teams settling for the draw.

Both coaches will have to take a long, hard look at the lack of flair and desire from players on both sides.

[Lance Knight]

Real Betis have completed the signing of Brazilian forward Edu from Celta Vigo.

A fee of around €5.5 million has been agreed by the two clubs and the 25-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the option of another year.

Edu joined Celta four years ago from Sao Paulo but had been looking to move all summer after the club's relegation from La Primera last term.

The player expressed his joy at finally sealing a transfer that has been dragging on for several weeks.

"I am very and glad everything has worked out well," he stated.

"As soon as last season finished I spoke with Betis and gave my word to (Betis president, Manuel Ruiz de ) Lopera.

"However, I couldn't close the doors to anyone, although in the end I kept my promise to Betis."

[Lance Knight]

Fixtures

Day 1 - Aug 29: Numancia - Betis
Day 2 - Sep 12: Betis - Espanyol
Day 3 - Sep 19: Osasuna - Betis
Day 4 - Sep 22: Betis - Athletic
Day 5 - Sep 26: Deportivo - Betis
Day 6 - Oct 3: Betis - Valencia
Day 7 - Oct 17: Betis - R Madrid
Day 8 - Oct 24: Getafe - Betis
Day 9 - Oct 31: Betis - Málaga
Day 10 - Nov 7: Albacete - Betis
Day 11 - Nov 14: Betis - Barcelona
Day 12 - Nov 21: Levante - Betis
Day 13 - Nov 28: Betis - Villarreal
Day 14 - Dec 5: R Sociedad - Betis
Day 15 - Dec 12: Betis - Racing
Day 16 - Dec 19: Sevilla - Betis
Day 17 - Dec 22: Betis - Atlético
Day 18 - Jan 9: Zaragoza - Betis
Day 19 - Jan 16: Betis - Mallorca
Day 20 - Jan 23:Betis - Numancia
Day 21 - Jan 30: Espanyol - Betis
Day 22 - Feb 6: Betis - Osasuna
Day 23 - Feb 13:Athletic - Betis
Day 24 - Feb 20: Betis - Deportivo
Day 25 - Feb 27: Valencia - Betis
Day 26 - Mar 2: R Madrid - Betis
Day 27 - Mar 6:Betis - Getafe
Day 28 - Mar 13: Málaga - Betis
Day 29 - Mar 20: Betis - Albacete
Day 30 - Apr 3: Barcelona - Betis
Day 31 - Apr 10: Betis - Levante
Day 32 - Apr 17: Villarreal - Betis
Day 33 - Apr 24: Betis - R Sociedad
Day 34 - May 1: Racing - Betis
Day 35 - May 8: Betis - Sevilla
Day 36 - May 15: Atlético - Betis
Day 37 - May 22: Betis - Zaragoza
Day 38 - May 29: Mallorca - Betis

[Lance Knight]

Betis Sevilla 1-4 Espanyol: FT Report

PA

SEVILLE, September 12 (Primera Liga) - Maxi Rodriguez scored a hat-trick as Espanyol romped to a comfortable victory at woeful Real Betis.

The home side's defensive frailties were exposed in spectacular fashion as first half goals from Rodriguez and Dani Garcia put the visitors 2-0 up at the break.

Although Betis pulled a goal back through Edu just after the re-start, Rodriguez responded within 60 seconds, and he then completed his treble after 64 minutes.

Espanyol were clinical in front of goal while Betis failed to really test the visiting defence, and despite having several shots, could not even force a serious save in the first half.

Espanyol continued to dominate in the second half, and Betis looked hesitant when in possession and seemed devoid of any attacking ideas.

At the back, the home side were completely disorganised and made a string of mistakes and Espanyol could have won by a bigger margin but eased off in the final half hour.

The visitors took the lead after 18 minutes when Oscar Serrano's high ball into the penalty area caused confusion at the back for the Betis defence.

Rodriguez was alert to the situation and took advantage by controlling the bouncing ball before lifting it over the advancing Toni Prats and into the net.

Three minutes before the break, Marcos Assuncao, on for the injured Capi, gift-wrapped the visitors a second with a terrible back pass.

Dani easily intercepted the ball and raced around Prats on the edge of the area, before sliding the ball into the empty net.

Betis halved the deficit when Fernando Varela sprinted down the right and centred perfectly for Edu. The former Celta Vigo winger got up just ahead of Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni to glance a header into the net.

However the home side's optimism was short-lived as Espanyol hit back immediately. Serrano's deep cross was controlled by Rodriguez on his chest just inside the area. The Betis defence simply stood off, allowing the Argentinian striker time to double his tally for the evening, beating Prats with a well-placed low shot.

Rodriguez then completed his hat-trick as again the Betis defenders failed to pick him up inside the box.

Raul Tamudo made it to the byline on the left of the area and crossed into the middle for the unmarked Rodriguez to rise unchallenged to head home from 10 yards out.

Betis could have given the scoreline a more respectable slant but they failed to add to their single goal.

The closest they came was when Espanyol failed to clear a Ricardo Oliveira corner and the ball came out to Assuncao, who controlled the ball on his chest before volleying a right-footed shot towards goal.

However David Garcia was on hand to knock the ball off the line to sum up Betis' miserable day.

[Lance Knight]

Osasuna 3-2 Betis Sevilla: FT Report

PA

PAMPLONA, September 18 (Primera Liga) - Osasuna came from behind twice to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a late Savo Milosevic goal seeing off struggling Real Betis.

In a thrilling match, Betis twice led through goals from Juan Andreu Melli and Luis Edu, but equalisers courtesy of John Aloisi and a comical Melli own goal gave the hosts the perfect platform to complete a dramatic victory.

It was a bittersweet evening for midfielder Melli who headed the visitors into the lead against the run of play after 32 minutes. Spain international Joaquin whipped in a dangerous corner and Melli nodded home past Ricardo Sanzol.

It knocked the stuffing out of Osasuna, who had earlier hit the woodwork when Morocco international Moha's shot from the left side of the penalty area crashed back off the post with Betis goalkeeper Antoni Prats stranded.

The hosts recovered their composure on the stroke of half-time and were again denied by the frame of the goal when Serbo-Montenegrin striker Milosevic shot with his right foot after great work by Juan Manuel Ortiz.

It seemed the second half could not come quickly enough for the Pamplona outfit as they set off like a caged animal that had just been released.

Within seven minutes of the restart Australian forward Aloisi put them back on level terms, and it seemed only a matter of time before their pressure reaped further rewards.

But Betis continued their useful habit of scoring against the run of play as they retook the lead just after the hour mark. Former Celta Vigo forward Edu rose majestically to fire a bullet header past a helpless Sanzol and stun the home fans.

That shock soon turned to comic celebration, however, as Melli scored the most calamitous of own goals to cancel out Betis' lead once again. What appeared to be a simple backpass to Prats caught the goalkeeper napping and the ball trickled over the line to the huge embarrassment of both players concerned.

Exuding the confidence that saw them secure a famous victory against Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor last week, Osasuna pushed for the win and summer signing Milosevic duly delivered the points when he got on the end of full-back Unai Exposito's cross from the left with less than 10 minutes remaining.

It was the striker's fourth goal in only three games this season as he sets about establishing himself as a goalscoring hero at the El Sadar stadium.

Defeat leaves Betis with only one point from their three matches so far, while their hosts continue to rub shoulders with the giants of Spanish football at the top of the Primera Liga.

[Lance Knight]

Osasuna 3-2 Betis Sevilla: FT Report

PA

PAMPLONA, September 18 (Primera Liga) - Osasuna came from behind twice to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a late Savo Milosevic goal seeing off struggling Real Betis.

In a thrilling match, Betis twice led through goals from Juan Andreu Melli and Luis Edu, but equalisers courtesy of John Aloisi and a comical Melli own goal gave the hosts the perfect platform to complete a dramatic victory.

It was a bittersweet evening for midfielder Melli who headed the visitors into the lead against the run of play after 32 minutes. Spain international Joaquin whipped in a dangerous corner and Melli nodded home past Ricardo Sanzol.

It knocked the stuffing out of Osasuna, who had earlier hit the woodwork when Morocco international Moha's shot from the left side of the penalty area crashed back off the post with Betis goalkeeper Antoni Prats stranded.

The hosts recovered their composure on the stroke of half-time and were again denied by the frame of the goal when Serbo-Montenegrin striker Milosevic shot with his right foot after great work by Juan Manuel Ortiz.

It seemed the second half could not come quickly enough for the Pamplona outfit as they set off like a caged animal that had just been released.

Within seven minutes of the restart Australian forward Aloisi put them back on level terms, and it seemed only a matter of time before their pressure reaped further rewards.

But Betis continued their useful habit of scoring against the run of play as they retook the lead just after the hour mark. Former Celta Vigo forward Edu rose majestically to fire a bullet header past a helpless Sanzol and stun the home fans.

That shock soon turned to comic celebration, however, as Melli scored the most calamitous of own goals to cancel out Betis' lead once again. What appeared to be a simple backpass to Prats caught the goalkeeper napping and the ball trickled over the line to the huge embarrassment of both players concerned.

Exuding the confidence that saw them secure a famous victory against Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor last week, Osasuna pushed for the win and summer signing Milosevic duly delivered the points when he got on the end of full-back Unai Exposito's cross from the left with less than 10 minutes remaining.

It was the striker's fourth goal in only three games this season as he sets about establishing himself as a goalscoring hero at the El Sadar stadium.

Defeat leaves Betis with only one point from their three matches so far, while their hosts continue to rub shoulders with the giants of Spanish football at the top of the Primera Liga.

[Lance Knight]

Betis Sevilla 2-1 Athletic Bilbao: FT Report

PA

SEVILLE, September 22 (Primera Liga) - Real Betis pulled off a home victory on Wednesday evening which leaves Athletic Bilbao stranded in the relegation zone.

Juanito gave the hosts a 37th-minute lead but it only took the visitors a minute to reply through their reliable marksman Ismael Urzaiz.

The Andalucians were not to be denied, however, as Fernandez Fernando snatched the winner in the second half.

Both teams made a very slow start to the game with neither team committing many men forward.

So sterile was the fare on offer that neither team was capable of mustering up a chance in the first 30 minutes.

Suddenly, just eight minutes from the interval, the game belatedly came to life as Juanito got the opener.

It was poor defending from Athletic that contributed to the goal as the Basque defenders failed to clear a corner.

The ball was knocked back into the Bilbao penalty area and fell to the feet of defender Juanito who managed to power the ball into the net through a crowded six-yard box.

However, that stung the visitors into life and within 60 seconds it was all square again.

Francisco Yeste broke clear and unselfishly squared the ball to centre forward Urzaiz who had the simple task of scoring into an empty net after the Betis defence had collectively fallen apart.

After the interval, the Andalucians emerged from the dressing room with more energy and they immediately set about pressuring their visitors.

The winning goal came from a moment of inspiration from Spanish international midfielder Joaquin Sanchez.

The former Manchester United target crossed the ball from the right and Fernando rose to head the ball past Athletic goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia.

Betis were determined not to concede a second equaliser and managed to keep hold of possession better.

Their summer signing from Celta Vigo Edu had a chance to extend their lead, but his effort flew just over the bar.

Athletic substitutes Ander Murillo and Joseba Etxeberria both had chances in the last ten minutes but Betis keeper Antoni Prats saved well from the pair.

Betis managed to keep their composure in the closing stages to hang on to a priceless victory against the Basque outfit.

The hosts, with seven points, have assured themselves of a comfortable position in mid-table but a look at the standings will be a worry for Bilbao who find themselves in a position that would mean relegation at the end of the season.

[Lance Knight]

Deportivo La Coruña 1-1 Betis Sevilla: FT Report

PA

LA CORUNA, September 25 (Primera Liga) - Deportivo La Coruna's indifferent start to the season continued on Saturday when they were held at home by Real Betis.

The draw means Depor have now won just one of their opening five matches and lie 12th in the table, already five points behind joint leaders Valencia and Barcelona, who both also have a game in hand.

It could have been even worse for the 2000 Spanish champions, though, as Betis took the lead in the 67th minute through Ricardo Oliveira.

But Victor popped up with 14 minutes to go to salvage a point for Javier Irureta's men and deny the visitors from Seville their second win of the season.

Although it came against the run of play, Oliveira's strike looked set to see Depor's once-impregnable Riazor stadium fortress breached once again.

Depor had already suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at home to Osasuna earlier this season, been trounced 5-1 by Valencia and been held to a goalless draw there by Olympiacos in their opening Champions League game.

That is hardly the sort of results you would expect from a team that had lost just 13 league games at home in the last six seasons.

And when Oliveira pounced on some poor Depor defending to coolly slot a long ball from the back past the onrushing Jose Molina, the home fans must have been fearing the worst.

But Depor drew level just nine minutes later when Betis goalkeeper Antoni Prats failed to hold Juan Carlos Valeron's dipping volley from the edge of the area and Victor prodded the loose ball through a group of players and into the net from eight yards out.

The home side then went in search of what would have been a deserved winner but their best effort saw Prats produce a top-class save to push away Manuel Pablo's rasping 20-yard drive.

That was one of a number of superb stops that Prats summoned up to keep Depor at bay and it was unfortunate for him that it was his misjudgement that allowed the home side to equalise.

Having said that, though, Depor could have been out of sight by that stage had it not been for the Betis custodian.

After 25 minutes he tipped Sergio Gonzalez's 25-yard effort behind for a corner following good build-up play from Fran and Valeron.

Prats was also quick to react when Valeron found Walter Pandiani unmarked in the middle. The Uruguay striker had plenty of time to pick his spot but his header was poor and Prats was able to clear up.

And when Prats was finally beaten, his team-mates came to his rescue - as was the case five minutes from half-time.

The Betis goalkeeper was left in no-man's land by Valeron's teasing right-wing cross and although Pandiani managed to get his head to the ball at the far post, Juanito was able to get back and make a last-ditch clearance off the goalline.

[Lance Knight]

Betis move for Barcelona fullback Belletti
November 19, 2006

Real Betis are eyeing Barcelona fullback Julio Belletti.
Betis coach Javier Irureta is ready to move for the Brazilian after deciding to cancel the registration of wing-back Damia for this season.

Damia hasn't been able to play for Betis since his summer move from Barca due to a hip complaint.

[Lance Knight]

Depor's Manuel Pablo flattered by Betis interest
November 19, 2006

Deportivo La Coruna defender Manuel Pablo has welcomed reports linking him with Real Betis.
Betis coach Javier Irureta is set to go back to his former club for the Depor captain, who has struggled for first team action this season.

Manuel Pablo said: "I did not speak with anybody with respect to that subject. Yes, I spoke with Irureta when we played there, but not about that, although if the news is correct, it flatters me that Betis is thinking about me."

[Lance Knight]

After 10 games Real Betis is 18th in the table and in relegation zone
with 2 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses came 7 points
what has happened to this team
has jus the departure of Olivera and Jouquin caused such a devasting blow?

[Lance Knight]

Bilbao president won't fully back Sarriugarte
November 27, 2006

Athletic Bilbao president Ana Urquijo refused to fully back coach Felix Sarriugarte after their defeat to Sevilla.
Bilbao are rock bottom of the Primera Liga and Urquijo said last night: "Everything will be decided according to the situation in which we are in and depends on many internal factors at the club.

"I do not rule out anything, but until one does not consider, if one considers, I am not going to speak about him (Sarriugarte)."

Former Alaves coach Mane, who remains a free agent, has been linked with Sarriugarte's job.