Betis Champions League that postpones the permanence of Espanyol | Soccer | Sports

Espanyol and Betis had different objectives, but a shared need: score. The parakeets, fourtees, needed the three points for pure survival after losing against Villarreal and thus running the permanence. While the Betics, sixth in the League and at a sweet moment at the conference after beating Fiorentina, they wanted to mathematically ensure a European square and stalk the Champions League. There was much at stake, and that is why there was no lack of intensity and emotion. Espanyol, after a goal from Roberto in the first part and Joan García as lifeguard in the goal, savored the victory. But Betis brought out the individual quality of his players and traced with a goal from Lo Celso and another from Antony (1-2) in the final stretch. The many of the Argentine and the Brazilian certified for Betis the fifth consecutive classification to dispute European competitions. But they also meant the first defeat for the parakeets at home since October, precisely against another Andalusian team, Sevilla. Now, Betis enjoys its great streak, while Espanyol is seven points in the descent.

Both teams opted for different ways. Espanyol came out with everything, with only a change in the initial eleven compared to the previous game – Polzano – and a rapid transition football. Unlike Betis. After the demanding duel against Fiorentina and thinking about the return of next Thursday, Pellegrini opted for fresh air and a more elaborate game, trying to chain long possessions. But the rotations came out to the Betics. At least at the beginning. During the first part they lacked mordant offensive, they did not find their strikers and they did not finish effectively to overcome Joan García. After half an hour of play, Pol Lozano put a pass between Bartra and Natan to find Roberto, who finished off and scored the first for Espanyol.

The RCDE Stadium, with almost 30,000 spectators, went crazy. Espanyol began to feel superior and invincible. But Pellegrini had dynamite on the bench and a second part ahead that he squeezed to the maximum. The Pericos lowered the intensity, and Betis took the opportunity to attack again and again trying to surprise Joan García, the only wall that could stop visitors. The increasing danger was greater, and Betis players turned to try their luck facing goal.

Then the individual quality of Lo Celso and Antony appeared, which had already marked Thursday at the conference. Both, touching the end of the game, scored an express goal each in five minutes apart, frustrating the counterattacks of the premises, which did not give up even if they left with their heads.