The Chilean goalkeeper was hurt against Aris Limassol and he joins Rui Silva on the injury list, leaving Pellegrini facing a goalkeeper shortage for the derby. The coach will need to rely on the Betis Deportivo shot-stopper, Fran Vieites, to guard the net as Real Betis Balompié prepares for a high-stakes clash.
Bad news for Real Betis Balompié in the build-up to the Seville derby. Manuel Pellegrini’s side must travel to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán to face Sevilla on matchday 13 of La Liga, and they will start without a first-team goalkeeper. The Chilean boss has to turn to the second-team custodian, Fran Vieites, who will be tasked with the tough assignment of protecting Betis against their city rivals.
Watch LIVE and LIVE ONLINE on DAZN the Seville derby Sevilla vs. Betis, from LaLiga EA Sports 2023-2024
Why isn’t Claudio Bravo available for the Sevilla-Betis match?
Pellegrini anticipated the absence of Rui Silva due to a hamstring issue in the Portuguese goalkeeper, a problem that will sideline him for the derby. But Claudio Bravo has joined him on the sidelines after suffering an injury in the Europa League encounter with Aris Limassol on Thursday, November 9. The coach acknowledged the uncertain status of Bravo and the potential impact on the squad as the weekend approached.
“We will see Claudio Bravo’s problem. It is possible that it is worrying because we have Rui Silva who is injured. Let’s see what happens until Sunday. What happened to Claudio could be a contracture. We’re going to wait and see,” Pellegrini remarked after the game against Aris Limassol.
On Friday, the medical update arrived with more clarity. Bravo has what was described as “a proximal myotendinous injury to the left hamstring muscles.” With Betis not yet confirming the issue officially, Bravo’s absence becomes a reality for the big derby, paving the way for Vieites to step in. Vieites has previously shown competence in the club’s reserve setup and will seek to translate his potential into a memorable top-flight performance in one of Betis’ most demanding fixtures.
He will be replaced by Fran Vieites, who already made his first-team debut against Barcelona earlier in the season. The backup goalkeeper gained experience at Atlético de Madrid’s system with Betis and has stepped up in moments when his team needed him most. His presence adds a fresh dynamic to Betis’ defensive organization as they prepare to face Sevilla in front of a packed stadium and a heated atmosphere.
The 24-year-old Vieites arrived at Betis from CD Lugo in July 2022 to reinforce Betis Deportivo. The team, founded to nurture young talent, welcomed a goalkeeper who stands tall at 1.94 meters and is known for his aerial command and calmness with the ball at his feet. Betis highlighted his ability to read the game and his steadiness under pressure as key attributes that could help him handle a derby of this magnitude.
Vieites has his roots in the RC Celta de Vigo academy, where he trained in the lower ranks and earned opportunities with the first team on several occasions. He later signed with CD Lugo, where he appeared in twelve Second Division fixtures, gaining valuable competitive hours in a demanding league and proving his readiness to take the next step when called upon. This season’s call-up to Betis’ senior squad marks a significant milestone in a promising career path for the young goalkeeper.
In summary, Betis’ goalkeeping situation for the Great Derby is defined by injuries that have forced mix-and-match decisions. Vieites’ preparation will be under the spotlight as the team looks to maintain stability at the back while managing a tactical battle against Sevilla in a cauldron-like setting. The outcome will hinge on how well Betis can shield its young shot-stopper while maintaining focus on organization and collective execution in both defensive phases and transition play.
Note: This overview reflects the situation as reported by Goal, with updates incorporated as they became available to the club and supporters.