MATCH REPORT | Three great points (0-1)
Loren scored the only goal
Real Betis
Balompié got a good victory tonight in one of the most difficult stadiums in
LaLiga. The team controlled the entire game and could have scored more, but
Girona FC put up an intense defence.
A good
start by the Green and Whites who had their first chance after just two
minutes. Canales got the ball in Betis' side of the pitch and began to run with
nobody stopping him. He got closer to the opposite box and shot, but his effort
went just wide. As in every game, Betis had come on to have the ball and put
the rival under pressure through possession. Loren had a great one when Bono
slipped while controlling the ball, but striker maybe tried to shoot too soon
and hit the keeper.
Girona were
defending well and had their first chance after 20 minutes. Douglas Luiz shot
from outside the area but the ball went wide. Betis were in control of the
possession and creating more chances. Loren had his second of the night after a
good pass from Bartra but again found Bono. The Green and Whites, using the
third kit today for the first time, continued accumulating chances. The next
one was for Boudebouz who shot a cross from Junior into the keeper's gloves.
The game
continued in a very similar way until half time, with Betis controlling but
unable to score. Both sides came on again and the match resumed with no changes
in either of the teams. Girona had come on with a higher pressure on Betis and
the Green and Whites were not as comfortable on the ball as they seemed to be
in the first half.
However,
not many chances were being created. The first good one came in the 58th
minute, but Loren couldn't head the ball in following a good cross from
Boudebouz. After trying tirelessly, the team finally managed to score. A
magnificent cross from Francis on the right and Loren got to the ball faster
than the keeper and tapped the ball in. The home team immediately replied,
though, and Stuani almost score but his shot hit the post.
Girona took
then a step forward and tried something else, but Betis still were having more
possession. Betis where closer now to the second goal than before, having
several chances. Junior actually got a goal disallowed for offside, which was,
but no for much.
Joaquín
almost doubled the differenced in the score with and effort from outside the
box that hit the crossbar. A minute later, Mandi saved the team with a marvellous
tackle to send th ball into corner-kick when Doumbia was about to score.
Girona were
going with everything in the last minutes, trying to get a draw. Stuani had the
best for his team in the whole game in the added time with a good header, but
Pau made a great save.
Girona FC: Bono,
Porro (Doumbia 82'), Bernardo, Alcalá (Roberts 73'), Juanpe, Aday, Granell (García
73'), Borja García, Douglas Luiz, Portu, Stuani.
Booked: Alcalá (72').
Real Betis Balompié:
Pau López, Francis, Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei, Junior, Guardado (Javi García 85'),
Canales, Inui (Joaquín 65'), Boudebouz (Lo Celso 74'), Loren.
Goals: Loren (64').
Booked: Boudebouz (37'), Junior (69').