Real Betis Balompié fought hard today to get a draw that could be seen as possible taking look at the match's circumstances. The team started poorly and conceded two goals in the first ten minutes. The Green and Whites improved along the first half and reduced the difference in the score thanks to Lo Celso. However, just before half time, the referee created a penalty from nothing and Ben Arfa scored. In the second half, Betis had their rivals completely under siege and Sidnei, first, and Lainez just before the end, tied up. The Mexican scored his first goal as Betis player.

The game could not start worse, as Stade Rennais scored in the first minute. A low cross that Hunou tapped in in the far post. The locals began with strength and had several approaches. Grenier shot a free-kick that hit the crossbar after a deflection from Robles' fingertips. In that corner-kick, the home team got their second as an unlucky Javi García scored an own goal. Only ten minutes into the game and the Green and Whites were trailing by two goals.

Betis then tried to lower the tempo of the game, as it was not favouring the team at all. In this way, they got the possession and forced Stade Rennais to take a step back and focus on defence. However, more bad news came when Junior got injured halfway through the first half. The young left back had to leave on a stretcher and was replaced by Lainez.

The team was now in control and started to attack tirelessly. Lo Celso send a Good pass towards Loren, whose effort was deflected by Koubek. A minute later, both players switched roles and Lo Celso used the assist from Loren to beat the keeper.

The team had improved quite a lot and were moving the ball well. In fact, the team got really close to tying the game up after a steal in midfield. Lo Celso passed the ball to canals but the shot from the Spaniard went just wide. A couple of minutes later, Lainez tried from inside the area but Koubek saved it.

Two minutes later, Loren had a great chance, but Koubek made a great save with his right foot. The locals scored in the following play, helped by the area referee who decided to call the main referee for a non-existent foul from Guardado on a rival. Ben Arfa sent Robles the wrong way and increased the lead.

The second half began with a chance for Real Betis. Mandi headed a corner kick delivered by Joaquín into the keeper's hands. The team had come with the idea of attacking from the very beginning and got really close to score after five minutes. Sidnei sent a great pass to the back of the defence where Canales made a run, controlled with his chest and shot, but he hit the post.

In spite of Stade Rennais focused on defending, they few times when they got to the othr side of the pitch, they did it with danger. Robles had to make a good save to a Niang's effort. A few moments later, again the referee gave the home team a hand when André tackled Lainez hard. The defender was already booked and this play deserved, at least, a yellow, but he just whistle for free-kick. In that play, Joaquín delivered to the far post where Sidnei appeared to nod the ball in.

After this second goal, the team did not stop attacking in search of more goals. Canales tried with a low shot from outside the box after a good team play. The next one was for Lo Celso but the Argentine send his effort over the bar. The home team were defending now with all their men inside the area.

When time was about to run out, Lainez got a rebound inside the area and produced a great volley that went in by the far post. A great strike from the Mexican who scored his first goal as a Green and White.

Stade Rennais FC: Koubek, Traoré, Mexer, Da Silva, Zeffane, André, Grenier (Gelin 69'), Hunou (Bensebaini 80'), Sarr (Bourigeaud 48'), Ben Arfa, Niang.
Goals: Hunou (1'), Javi García, og (10'), Ben Arfa, pen. (45+2').
Booked: André (30'), Da Silva (32').

Real Betis Balompié: Joel Robles, Joaquín (Barragán 83'), Mandi, Javi García, Sidnei, Junior (Lainez 26'), Carvalho, Guardado, Canales, Lo Celso, Loren (Jesé 72').
Goals: Lo Celso (30'), Sidnei (62'), Lainez (90').

Referee: Tasos Sidiropoulos, Greece.