For yet another week, Real Betis has added three crucial points that take the team closer to the final goal. The team claimed victory after a very hard match, in which Deportivo Alavés gave everything to get a good result. The home team pressed up during the whole 90 minutes, and the Green-and-White side had difficulties to find open spaces and create clear chances. Even though, the attacking pair formed by Jorge Molina and Rubén Castro continues with their fantastic momentum. They scored one goal each, which made possible to seal a precious victory.

During the early stages, none of the teams was able to control completely the ball. Both sides lost it easily and couldn’t get near the opposite’s box with danger. But in the 15^th minute, Rubén Castro sent a great ball to Molina, who outrun Jarosik and made a classy finish with the outer side of his right foot. Betis captain goes on scoring, and this is his 15^th strike of the season, number 13 since the arrival of Pepe Mel.

The goal didn’t seem to change Alavés tactical setting. On its part, Betis tried to control the game through possession.

Nonetheless, Alavés started to push forward and tried to get to the goal defended by Adán. Step by step, they enclosed Betis in their side of the pitch and put up a lot of pressure. Alavés striker Manu Barreiro moved well between lines, and Jordi Figueras and Bruno had some trouble controlling his positioning. The half time came like a relief for Real Betis, that struggled for the last third of the first half.

The half time talk given by Mel to his men seemed to work. The team started much better off than they finished the first. Still, the visiting side couldn’t have possession of the ball, and the crowd gathered at Mendizorroza Stadium was watching a very open game. Alavés kept trying to attack, specially from the wings. Low and high crosses that couldn’t be finished properly, though. In the 57 minute, Mel decided to replace Kadir by Dani Ceballos. The team needed to keep more possession in the middle and control the times of the game.

This substitution appeared to have an immediate effect. Just two minutes after, the attacking players combined well, and Portillo gave a good ball to Molina, who hit the crossbar with a strong effort. In the following minutes, Alavés stretched its tactical positioning, in a try to go forward. In these moments Betis seemed to be more comfortable, finding open gaps between lines and creating more danger. In one of these situations, Rubén Castro was tackled just outside the opposite box, and the referee whistled for free kick. The striker took the ball and shot to put the ball beyond Goitia’s reach. A fantastic goal that looked like a penalty from outside the box. The striker continues to be the top scorer of the league, with 22 goals so far.

The second goal urged Deportivo Alavés on attacking desperately. The last 15 minutes was a continuous attempt to try and level the score. In this way, the home scored after a low cross that Betis defence couldn’t clear, and Toti finished in the second post. Alavés kept trying, and Real Betis had to show its capacity of sacrifice. Also, Adán made a few good saves that helped the team. A great performance from the Green-and-White goalkeeper. At the end, Betis returns home knowing that they worked hard to be closer to the First Division.

Alavés: Goitia, Medina, Laguardia, Jarosik, R. García, Manu, Toribio (Sergio Llamas 63), Juanma (Sangalli 74), Toti, Lanza (Ion Velez 74), Manu Barreiro.
Goals: Toti 82.
Booked: Unai Medina 72, Manu Barreiro 91.

Real Betis: Adán, Molinero, Bruno, Jordi Figueras, Casado, Kadir (Dani Ceballos 58), N'Diaye, Xavi Torres, Portillo (Vadillo 80), Jorge Molina (Héctor Rodas 88), Rubén Castro.
Goals: Jorge Molina 15, Rubén Castro 73.
Booked: Molinero 65, N'Diaye 93.

Referee: Medié Jiménez.