MATCH REPORT | A well-deserved reward (1-0)
Loren scored in the final minutes
Sometimes,
suffering feels amazing. The victory Real Betis Balompié got tonight over CD
Leganés was a deserved prize to the work done by the whole time throughout the
game. With absolute control of the game, Betis showed moments of great football
against a hard rival that did not give up. When it seemed all over, Lo Celso produced
a wonderful pass, Tello delivered a great cross and Loren sealed the three
points in the far post.
The game
began in the way Betis usually do, looking for the possession from the very
beginning. The rival were waiting with pressure on the midfield line. Tello had
the first chance of the game with an effort from the edge of the box, but
Cuéllar saved it.
After the
first 15 minutes, Betis' control was overwhelming, close to 80% of possession. The
players were moving the ball around nicely and making good runs. On the other
hand, Leganés had not been able to get close to the other box. However, the
away team almost scored. El Zhar made a foul on Bartra the referee didn't
whistle, and passed the ball to En-Nesyri who missed to an empty goal.
In spite of
this play, Betis were still in charge. The next occasion was fro Canales, but
his shot was blocked by a well-placed Cuéllar. The goal almost came just before
half time. Sergio León delivered a cross to the far post where Joaquín nodded
the ball, but the keeper made a sensational save.
The game
resumed after half time and Betis had come one with the idea of attacking from
the start. After a couple of minutes, a double chance from Sergio León and Lo
Celso ended up in corner kick. Betis were trying without a break but had in front
a wall of eleven men defending well close to the area, leaving no gaps.
The next one
was for Joaquín, who shot high following a cross from Barragán. However, a
mistake in the creation from the back almost allowed Leganés to score, but
again En-Nesyri missed the target. The final 15 minutes arrived and Betis
doubled the pressure on the rival. León almost made it with a bicycle
kick.
The away
team were trying for the game to lower its pace and tried to stop Betis in any
way the could. Loren almost made it with a header but the ball went high. When
it looked that it was going to finish stalemate, Lo Celso sent a great pass
between lines to a pacey Tello. The winger delivered a great cross to the far
post where Loren came from behind to smash it into the net.
Real Betis Balompié:
Joel Robles, Barragán (Carvalho 80'), Mandi, Javi García, Bartra, Junior, Lo
Celso, Canales (Sanabria 74'), Boudebouz, Joaquín, Sergio León (Loren 83').
Goals: Loren (88').
CD Leganés:
Cuéllar, Juanfran, Bustinza, Tarín, Silva, Raúl García, Gumbau, Rubén Pérez, El
Zhar (Merino 54'), Óscar (Vesga 54'), En-Nesyri (Carrillo 77').
Booked: En-Nesyri (3'), Bustinza (38'),
Cuéllar (87'), Rubén Pérez (92').