Betis gave Cádiz Carnival night with a victory that was as fair as it was incontestable. Manuel Pellegrini’s team had the virtue of hitting in two key moments of the match, in the first minutes of each half. Cádiz, knocked out, was able to respond somewhat in the first half, but sank in the second, always at the mercy of Betis following Fornals’ great goal. It is good for the League that Fornals’ talent has returned from the Premier. In Cádiz, Pellegrino’s effect on the bench dissipated, resulting in two goalless draws in two games. Pellegrini’s Betis puts a lot of pressure on Real in the fight for Europe. His good work in the winter market was reflected in the good performance of players like Cardoso and Fornals himself.
0
Jeremias Ledesma, Fali, Victor Chust, Iza, Lucas Pires, Robert Navarro (Maxi Gómez, min. 81), Rubén Alcaraz, Escalante (Sergi Guardiola, min. 68), Iván Alejo (Juanmi, min. 45), Rubén Sobrino ( Álex Fernández, min. 68) and Chris Ramos
2
Rui Silva, Sokratis, Pezzella, Héctor Bellerín, Juan Miranda, Marc Roca (Aitor Ruibal, min. 90), Johnny, Fornals (Sergi Altimira, min. 89), Fekir (William Carvalho, min. 78), Abde (Rodri, min. 70) and Willian José (Chimy Ávila, min. 78)
Goals 0-1 min. 5: Willian José. 0-2 min. 45: Fornals.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea
Yellow cards John (52 minutes) and Socrates (64 minutes)
Up to 10,000 raincoats had to be distributed in Cádiz on a Friday of much desired rain in Andalusia. At the end of the clash, many were thrown onto the pitch as a sign of protest by the local fans, very dissatisfied with the defeat. The Nuevo Mirandilla grass resisted thanks to its wonderful drainage to facilitate the expected duel on the benches between Pellegrino and Pellegrini. The two played as center backs and then coached the Universidad Católica de Chile and yesterday they faced each other in a vital match for both teams, especially for Cádiz, three points away from relegation with one more match. Also with the burden of accumulating 19 games without winning, quite a return. Betis took great advantage of the local nerves and their staging was excellent.
Fekir took charge from the beginning. Little by little, he recovers the best version of himself. From his quality came the impetus of a Betis team that took the lead very quickly. After six minutes, Cardoso put a ball into the area for Willian José to make it 0-1. The goal hurt Cádiz. They had problems distributing the ball and Betis arrived loose. Cádiz was saved by Ledesma, once once more, with a save following a great action by Fekir. Before he was attentive to Miranda. Supported by their goalkeeper, Cádiz reacted at the end of the first half. Betis once once more made the mistake that haunts them away from home in many games in this League: they score and back down, playing with fire. Cádiz advanced the lines and with more heart than head they enjoyed a great opportunity in the 43rd minute. Rui Silva saved Escalante and Chris Ramos miraculously missed the rejection. Despite the initial superiority, Betis won fairly at half-time. Fornals’ great goal as soon as the second act began ended Cádiz’s resistance, lost in its labyrinth: there are now 20 games without a win. The playmaker’s action was excellent. He dislocated Pires with a movement of his hips and then finished off with his left leg perfectly.
“They have had the virtue of killing us in two key moments,” argued Mauricio Pellegrino. “Scoring early always helps, but I think we were better throughout the game. We started very well, solid at the back and with the ball. We scored and we had a chance to score more goals. After half an hour we lost aggressiveness with the ball and Cádiz got closer. The second half we played was very complete,” argued Manuel Pellegrini. “Willian José played a very complete game. I think it is the triumph of the team. Also a good match from Cardoso, from Roca, but I think all my players have performed at a high level,” concluded the Verdiblanco coach.
