A tense match at Villamarín showed once again that Real Madrid struggle to convert chances into goals in the league, ending in a 0-0 draw with Real Betis.
Madrid altered their approach, with Rodrygo playing behind Benzema. The move gave them a different look, but Betis controlled the tempo and forced Courtois into several exceptional saves. Benzema up front continues to be a shadow of his peak form, and Madrid paid the price with a lack of clinical finishing at key moments.
From early on, Rodrygo offered a new dynamic for the visitors, yet Betis pressed relentlessly and tested the Belgian stopper with dangerous forays into the box. Madrid could not capitalize on their chances, and though they created more openings than in previous encounters with Barcelona, the decisive finish remained elusive.
The home side held the initiative for long stretches, pushing Madrid to respond with changes aimed at quickening the game and provoking a more open battle. The attempts arrived, but the finishing touch was missing, leaving Madrid still searching for their first goal of the evening.
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Reactions from Betis vs. Real Madrid of La Liga 2022-2023
Ancelotti, in press conference
He assessed the day’s result as a classic open game that leaned toward Madrid’s intention: “We lacked finishing. In the final 30 minutes, control was steady. In the first half we were too wasteful, trying too many dribbles and taking too few shots on goal. We played in tight spaces, which made scoring difficult. We had clear chances. It’s clear we are missing a goal and balance, because the gap to the leaders is growing.”
On substitutions: “Camavinga picked up a booking, Luiz Henrique added one-on-one threat. Ceballos entered, Rodrygo moved wider, and we looked for him between the lines.”
Asensio’s role: “Asensio didn’t start because Vinicius and Rodrygo performed well. He warmed up in case we needed him, but we tried other options.”
On emotions: “I am more frustrated than angry. This squad has quality and cannot go three games without scoring. The players are hurt. The issue lies in finishing and efficiency.”
On the title race: “La Liga isn’t over yet. We must look ahead. Nine points behind, the margin is large, but there is always a chance to fight until the end.”
On squad configuration: “The lineup seems normal to me; it’s the same group that scored five at Anfield.”
On attacking options: “With Álvaro we lacked precision at the end. We must choose the best option and avoid excess dribbling when a shot on goal could settle it. It’s a collective issue of individual decisions.”
Borja Iglesias, after the game
“Madrid’s defense is always difficult to break. We enjoyed some moments and even shared a few laughs, but the draw stings. I had a clear chance, but Courtois’ brilliance decided it.”
Lucas Vázquez, after the match
“The team earned some moments but failed to convert at the crucial moments. We’re not happy with a draw.”
“Is La Liga over? Not at all. March isn’t the end. The gap is large, but belief remains that a turnaround is possible.”
“We ask the fans to keep faith in us. We’ll fight for all three league titles.”
Minute by minute
Minute 90. Five added minutes.
Minute 87. Abner and Joaquín enter; Ruibal and Miranda depart. Álvaro replaces Kroos in Madrid.
Minute 86. Yellow card for Vinícius for moving the ball too slowly.
Minute 83. Yellow for Luiz Henrique for protests.
Minute 79. Substitution for William Carvalho, recognizing a stopping threat.
Minute 76. Claudio Bravo denies Vinícius after a tight finish; the Chilean keeper keeps Betis ahead.
Minute 75. Ceballos meets a cross from Carvajal; he arrives from behind but the header misses the target.
Minute 70. Willian José and Luiz Henrique join; Ayoze and Borja Iglesias depart.
Minute 62. Nacho and Ceballos replace Tchouaméni and Camavinga.
Minute 60. Rodrygo’s moment: a powerful run and a Kuzman-like cross from Valverde, but the Uruguayan’s center sails high.
Minute 59. Carvajal on for Lucas Vázquez.
Minute 58. Two yellow cards: Rodrygo for ball movement and Milito for a prior grab.
Minute 56. Militao picks up an knock; the defender’s movement is limited as the clock ticks on.
Minute 53. Claudio Bravo nearly gifts a goal with Valverde’s kick; the Chilean narrowly avoids a disaster.
Minute 52. Rodrygo’s big moment: a diagonal run in the box, a clever cut on Luiz Felipe, and a misfire as Benzema becomes the target for a late clearance.
Minute 52. Courtois with a crucial save from Borja Iglesias.
Minute 51. Yellow for Borja Iglesias for protest.
Minute 50. Yellow to Sabaly for a hold on Vinícius.
Minute 48. Courtois saves again after Vinícius lays the ball to Benzema for a quality chance.
Minute 46. Courtois blocks a shot from Ruibal as the second half starts.
Minute 46. The second half begins.
Rest!
Minute 44. Rodrygo emerges as Madrid’s best, cutting through the center and forcing a chest save from Luiz Felipe on a shot directed toward the near post.
Minute 35. Vinícius misfires after a promising move from Camavinga, hitting the ball too high from a good position.
Minute 31. Valverde tests Claudio Bravo with a long-range strike that buckles the air with spin.
Minute 24. Yellow card for Camavinga for a foul on Rodri.
20 minutes in, a lively sideshow at Villamarín; chances are scarce but the play is vibrant.
Minute 12. Benzema’s goal ruled out for handball after a direct free kick, and the ball hits the arm of a defender before a VAR check cancels it.
Minute 8. Courtois makes a spectacular save on a powerful Ayoze strike, tipping it wide for a corner.
Minute 5. Rodrygo operates as a midfielder, with Valverde drifting inward to create space for the winger.
Minute 1. The match kicks off with both teams ready for action.
20:48 | Players head to the locker rooms for final instructions before the game.
20:25 | Both squads warm up on Villamarín’s surface before kickoff.
19:45 | Betis confirm their XI, with Aitor Ruibal among the starters.
7pm | Real Madrid confirm their XI, including Lucas Vázquez, Tchouaméni and Rodrygo.
6pm | Three hours until kickoff at Benito Villamarín.
The previous GOAL of Betis vs. Real Madrid of La Liga 2022-2023
- Betis had not beaten Real Madrid in their last five La Liga meetings since Pellegrini took charge, with two draws and three defeats in that span.
- Madrid have won five of their last six visits to Betis in La Liga, including a 6-1 victory in October 2016, one of several heavy-score nights for Betis in league history.
- Madrid have not lost in their last 10 La Liga visits to Andalusian teams, winning nine and drawing one, since a 2-1 defeat in March 2020 under Zidane.
- Madrid had alternated wins and losses in their last seven away league games, with clean sheets in their four wins in that run.
- Betis had won three league games in a row and had not claimed four consecutive wins since December 2021.
- No club has drawn with Madrid as often as Betis in the 21st century in La Liga, though most draws against Madrid happened away from home.
- Sergio Canales has scored in each of his last two Betis home games and aimed to extend that run to three, a first since February 2020.
- Juanmi Jiménez would reach 250 La Liga appearances in this match if selected, a landmark that would include stops with Real Sociedad, Málaga and Betis, with goals and assists tallying up along the way.
- Three of Madrid’s last four La Liga goals had come from substitutes, highlighting the impact of fresh legs in front of goal.
- Pellegrini’s record against Madrid in La Liga stood at a modest 15 percent win rate, his lowest against an opponent faced at least three times in the league.
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Alignments of Betis vs. Real Madrid
Betis (4-3-3): Claudio Bravo; Sabaly, Luiz Felipe, Pezzella, Miranda; Carvalho, Guido Rodriguez, Rodri; Ayoze, Aitor Ruibal and Borja Iglesias.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Militao, Rudiger, Camavinga; Tchouaméni, Kroos, Valverde; Vinícius, Rodrygo and Benzema.
Source: Goal