Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Real Betis
Having both picked up crucial wins on European duty on Thursday night, both Rayo and Betis came into their Monday night encounter weighing their heavy legs. Both sides are in contention for European competition next season again, although increasingly the highest each side can aim for looks to be the Conference League and Europa League.
It was a stuttering start to the match, with both Diego Llorente for Betis and Jorge de Frutos coming off for injuries, with the latter in particular looking serious. De Frutos limped off in tears, which hopefully were premature. Eventually, it was Rayo that that found some rhythm, with Pacha Espino close to the opener at the back post but unable to connect with the chance.
After half an hour, Rayo were gifted a golden opportunity to open the scoring, but Isi Palazon’s effort was a comfortable stop for Alvaro Valles, low and not in the corner. Inigo Perez watched in disbelief as the ball, seductively in front of an open goal, was not put in the back of the net by one of Isi, Nobel Mendy or Alvaro Garcia, who converged on each other.
Rayo assault falls short in second half
Again it took some time for the game to find a beat. After the hour-mark, Rayo were the side in better tune again though, with Marc Bartra and Natan forced into more and more work. As was the post, when Isi struck it with just 20 minutes to go. This is not to say that Betis were without threat throughout, and did manage four shots on goal, working Augusto Batalla.
That figure was tripled by a Rayo side that were applying pressure in the closing stages though. The feeling that the goal was destined to elude the home side was thoroughly set in by the final whistle though.
While Rayo remain just five points off 7th spot, currently in 13th, this weekend’s wins for RCD Mallorca and Girona mean they are only three points above the drop, in spite of a strong performance. It also extends their winless Liga run to six games, albeit just two were defeats. Betis had made their own peace with the point, which keeps them 6th and five points behind Espanyol, a further four from Atletico Madrid in 4th.
Poorly refereed game. Rayo should have had a player red carded with Pathe Ciss’ intentional and reckless challenges (twice) on Nelson Deossa.
Where was VAR to help out this blind referee?
The absence of EZ on the left wing made it obvious that Betis needs better offensive minded skill players. I like Cucho but he needs a stable mate up front and I think I have found him. He looks like he is affordable too at 2 million.
I was watching the Copa del Rey match between Racing Santander and Villareal. Juan Carlos Arana showed himself to be the best offensive player on the field with two goals against Villareal. He looks like the perfect striker for Betis. Go get him! My first choice would have been to keep the Panda, but I know he is too expensive. Arana has the same traits as Borja when it comes to accuracy, scoring with both feet, and deadly efficiency.
When reviewing the history of Real Betis since 1913, along with a list of all the coaches and their accomplishments, it is clear that Pellegini is the G.O.A.T.
Now if we could just get Isco back in good health and form, we could make a run for the Champions League after the break.