MATCH REPORT | One point to close the year (1-1)
Sanabria scored for the Green and Whites
Real Betis Balompié could not finish the year with a victory. In an open and even game, the team did not find the way to beat SD Eibar. The away team scored in a penalty in the second half to tie the goal scored by Sanabria in the second half.
Only two minutes into the game and Betis had the first chance. A corner kick delivered to the near post where Mandi headed the ball back, but it went out by the other post.
The Green and White side had the ball in the first moments, but most of the time on their own half of the pitch, as the pressing of the rivals was quite strong. The team managed a couple of times to break it off, finding open spaces to attack. However, the opposition also had their ones through counterattacks. In one of those, Pau López had to make a good save when Orellana run alone towards the goal.
Very bad news came in the 15th minute when Sidnei fell awkwardly and had to leave the pitch. Feddal took his place.
In spite of all the difficulties, Real Betis managed to score. After a long play, Lo Celso delivered a good cross towards Tello. The winger provided then an assist to Sanabria, who tapped the ball into an empty goal. A couple of minutes later, the Paraguayan almost scored again, but he couldn't reach a good pass from Mandi.
A similar play occurred just after the beginning of the second half. This time it was Tello who made the assist, but a defender came in the last moment and sent the ball to corner kick. In that play, Eibar launched a quick counterattack and Cucurella was running alone. When he was about to set foot in the box, Lo Celso made a good tackle, but the referee said it was a foul and booked the Argentinian.
It seemed that the visitors were pushing more at this point, but Betis' defence were clearing all the danger so far. Enrich had the best of the game, alone one yard from the goal line with Pau beaten, but he shot wide. A few minutes later, Pau denied Kike García's long-range effort.
In the corner that resulted of that play, the referee whistled for penalty. A quite strict decision. Orellana shot it and scored, although Pau almost saved it. Eibar tried again a moment after. Jordán produced a strong effort from distance that almost surprised Pau. A good pass from Feddal was Betis reply. The Moroccan sent a decent long ball to back of the defence, where Canales made a run. He tried to chip the ball over Riesgo, but the keeper made a good save.
In the following play, another counterattack, this time through Kike García, who shot wide with all in his favour.
Real Betis Balompié:
Pau López, Francis (Barragán 86'), Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei (Feddal 17'), Tello,
Carvalho, Canales, Lo Celso, Joaquín (Loren 82'), Sanabria.
Goals: Sanabria (20').
Booked: Lo Celso (56'), Feddal (71').
SD Eibar: Riesgo,
Rubén Peña, Arbilla, Ramis (Paulo 71'), Cote, Orellana (De Blasis 88'),
Escalante (Diop 48'), Jordán, Cucurella, Kike García y Sergi Enrich.
Goals: Orellana, pen. (72').
Booked: Escalante (32'), Ramis (42'),
Paulo (88').
Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande.