Germán Alderete stood as the turning point for Getafe at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, his presence helping shift the balance in a midweek La Liga clash aimed at breathing life into their relegation battle. The match unfolded as a study in fragility and ambition, with both sides striving to protect their goal and chart a path toward European contention while asserting pride in a tense campaign.
Under the watch of Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini, Betis pressed for victory to keep their European hopes alive, while Argentina’s Germán Pezzella faced a late red card that intensified the narrative and reshaped the closing phase. Betis entered hoping to extend a run of European participation to a third consecutive season, whereas Getafe arrived buoyed by nearby results and keen to close the gap on Cadiz after Cadiz stumbled against Villarreal. Both managers, Pellegrini and José Bordalás, shuffled their selections with Betis fielding Juanmi Jiménez, Willian José, and Jaime Mata in pivotal roles, and Getafe relying on a rotating lineup that included their own strategic changes.
Early on, Getafe’s risk came with Enes Ünal’s knee injury, sidelining a key scorer and forcing a reshuffle as the game began to take shape. Bordalás’ plan kept Betis contained through disciplined defending, and the atmosphere suggested a tightly contested affair. As the minutes passed, Sergio Canales probed from distance and Germán Pezzella expertly disrupted a dangerous header from Mata on the right wing, while Betis persisted with set pieces that tested a stubborn visitors’ rearguard before the break.
Aitor Ruibal threatened from range around the 29th minute, testing David Soria who stood tall to deny Betis. Bordalás had crafted a compact, fast-transition approach that kept Betis at bay while allowing Getafe to control the tempo. The first half closed without a breakthrough, a sign that this match could hinge on a single moment rather than a sustained spell of pressure.
After the break, Betis sharpened their efforts with Willian José and Ayoze Pérez becoming more influential. Sergios Canales and Juanmi combined for attacking moves as Betis sought an edge, while Getafe remained compact and ready to pounce on quick counter opportunities. The game retained a tense cadence, with both teams guarding against a decisive mistake and waiting for a moment to tilt the result in their favor. Alderete and a disciplined Getafe defense anchored the visitors, repelling Betis’s advancing lines and maintaining a stage for a late twist in the plot.
Alderete’s moment arrived on a set piece in the 68th minute when Luis Milla swung in a corner and the defender rose highest to direct the ball beyond the reach of the defensive screen. The goal gave Getafe a lead that forced Betis to chase the outcome, tightening the play as the clock ticked down and the pressure mounted. Pellegrini reshaped the forward line, turning to Joaquin, Rodri, and Borja Iglesias in a bid to salvage something, while Pezzella’s dismissal added a dramatic layer to the closing action and highlighted discipline concerns for the home side’s manager.
As minutes evaporated, Getafe pressed with composure, forcing Betis into a reactive stance and relying on Alderete’s presence as the backbone of their defensive effort. The visitors chased every loose ball, denying Betis a clear path to an equalizer and maintaining a brisk tempo that prevented a late surge. The result underscored Alderete’s value to Getafe’s plans, illustrating how a well-organized defense and effective use of set pieces could secure a hard-earned win. The match concluded with Getafe in control and Betis left to reflect on the narrow margin of victory and the chances that slipped away, a snapshot of a season where every point could influence the fight to stay above the relegation line and pursue European football.
From the opening whistle to the final play, the duel resembled a strategic tug of war, a contest to convert possession into tangible chances within a physically demanding framework. Alderete’s goal offered a decisive edge, while Bordalás’ side demonstrated resilience and a clear defensive identity that has become a hallmark of their campaign. The clash at the Benita Villamarín added a vivid chapter to a competitive La Liga season, illustrating why each fixture matters as the race for European spots takes shape and the tables begin to tilt.