Betis and Girona They drew 1-1 in the two-faced duelThe Catalans, who went into the last game of 2023 as the leader and now depend on what Real Madrid did in Vitoria, were superior and took the lead in the first half, but the locals responded well and almost equalized at the end of the game. A goal from Argentina German Pezzella.
The penalty goal scored by Ukrainian Artem Dovbyk in the 39th minute was not enough for the Girona players to win, because when the green-white defender caressed him, Pezzella equalized on the scoreboard two minutes after the 90th minute Rules for hooking a loose ball after a corner.
Benito Villamarín examined the strengths of the two leading teams with perfect home and away records respectively. Betis Undefeated at home in LaLiga (5 wins and 3 draws) and a great away game against Girona (7 wins and one draw), despite the defeats for both teams, the Andalusian team achieved six and the Catalan team seven.
Chilean Manuel Pellegrini’s team had to overcome the delicate absence of their ‘brains’, with five changes compared to the 0-0 11 in San Sebastián, where Héctor Bellerín, Juan Miranda, Mexican Andrés Guardado, Rodri Sánchez and Assane Diao entered. It was defended by the suspended Isco Alarcón and the under-21 international Rodri against an opponent who came as LaLiga’s surprising leader, with contact, uncontrolled, deep and vertical football.
set Míchel Sánchez dominated and took control and possession He relied on his classic combination play, assists, high pressing and steals, but lacked the ability to create truly dangerous moves and thus finished the match against Betis, who soon suffered defeat due to Bellerín’s injury and was replaced by Aitor Ruibal in the fourth hour.
Not intimidated by Verdiblancos’ offer from Girona and with pace play, some hesitation and searching for space, they created more chances midway through the first half with a very high shot from Ayoze Pérez; From Diao, who forgave Brazilian Yan Couto after his failure in the region; and fellow Brazilian Willian José’s long-range shot was first cleared by Argentine Gazzaniga and then stopped by the Canary Islander grabbing the rebound.
Girona also had to make a necessary change injured David López and Juanpe came on for him in the 34th minute, who alerted us right in the middle of this period when Brazilian Sávio Moreira sent a weak shot into the hands of Portuguese Rui Silva, and continued to do his job, opening up the field, touching, touching. Always look at the local target.
The Girona team were rewarded for their good play and courage 6 minutes before the break when an attack from the left found the talented winger Sávio, who cut down Ruibal before Betic’s winger blocked it and the referee awarded the penalty. Striker Artem Dovbyk deceived Rui Silva with his shot and made the score 0-1.
After the restart, Pellegrini yellow-carded Portuguese William Carvalho for Guardado, and the Andalusian team stepped forward and hurt Guardado. girona its approach has not changed, Although the Catalans were now forced to fight back and could not see the front line as clearly as they were unable to exploit gaps in their unsuccessful counter-attack.
Betis needed to produce more football, provide more detail and clarity in order to get a good final pass, as Carvalho sought the goal with a shy shot with the inside of his foot in the 50th minute, which was stopped smoothly by Gazzaniga. Ruibal brought character to his teamBut this was insufficient for a team that missed its great creator Isco very much.
The Sevillians needed fresh air and their Chilean coach was looking for the necessary solution. reaction with triple changeMidway through the second half, Roca, Rodri and Willian José were replaced by midfielder Altimira, Moroccan Abde – very sharply on the left – and striker Borja Iglesias, which gave way to a dangerous center from Abde neutralizing the defender and then Ruibal. led to it. ordered high.
This didn’t change the scenario much because Betis dominated and took the initiative, barely getting clear shots Against Girona’s well-organized defence, he also lost control of the clash and the ball, and eventually paid a heavy price for it, because when a corner was taken in the 88th minute, Argentine defender Pezzella caused a loose ball to pass down the field. to connect.
The 1-1 score woke the Catalan team, who had been too conservative after taking the lead at half-time, but the Dutch Daley Blind missed a shot in extra time and Cristhian Stuani met Rui Silva.Although this action was canceled due to offside, Betis was able to achieve a draw that left a pleasant taste in the mouth.