Real Betis Balompié obtained today a precious victory in its visit to El Molinón Stadium, in the first match between the teams in La Liga, after both got promoted last year. The team showed two faces. In the first half, Betis played horrendously and Sporting controlled all the facets of the game. However, the Green-and-White players showed a much better attitude in the second half, with an early goal from Joaquín and a superb one from the boots of the everlasting striker, Rubén Castro.

Since the very beginning, it was evident that Sporting was more focused on the match than Real Betis. The home team was pressing well and Betis was having many difficulties to move the ball. The men managed by Pepe Mel couldn’t hold on to the ball for more than a few seconds. In this way, in the 9^th minute, Adán had to deflect a sensational strike from Jony that was aimed to the left top corner. A great save from Betis number ‘13’. Only a few minutes after, Halilovic dribbled two Betis player and passed the ball to Carlos Castro who turned around letting his defender behind a scored completely alone inside the box. A well-deserved goal for the only team on the pitch so far.

The match continued in this way for almost the whole first half. Sporting was feeling quite comfortable on the pitch, finding open spaces on the wings and also on the centre of the pitch. Specially Halilovic and Jony were being a nightmare for Betis defenders, who could not steal the ball from them. Every disputed ball and every second chance was being won by Real Sporting, a proof of the lack of intensity that Real Betis was showing.

Actually the first attacking play for Betis came in the 34^th minute when the team had a chance with shots from Varela and Cejudo, both blocked by Alberto. Sporting could have scored another goal before the break in a counterattack. At half time, 1-0 for the home team, although they could have scored more.

Just at the beginning of the second half the match changed completely. In the first play, Cejudo stole a ball in midfield and sent a cross to Rubén Castro who gave a head pass to Joaquin, and the captain of the team in this match just had to head it in. It seemed that the half time talk in the dressing room had worked perfectly. After the goal, it looked like the team had swapped places compared to the first half. It was now Betis the team eager for more, pressing a lot, and Sporting was losing the ball quite easily.

After ten minutes, the match started to be leveled. Sporting regained composure, but Betis did not lose theirs. Maybe it was Betis the team in control, but Sporting started to attack again. But after a corner kick blocked by Adán, Betis’ goalkeeper sent a long ball to Rubén Castro. The striker won position to Meré and shot a screamer that went in after bouncing off the crossbar. A fantastic goal from Betis all-time scorer, who has scored three times in six matches.

In the 65^th minute, Sporting had a really clear chance to tie the score again when Carlos Castro found himself alone inside the box, but his shot was deflected by Adán. Another great save from Betis keeper, one of the best in the match today.

The last twenty minutes went on in the same way, with both teams really even in all the aspects of the game, with chances to score for both sides. Westermann could have done it so when he headed a ball sent by Joaquín in a corner-kick, but his effort went a few inches wide.

Step by step, the managers made all the substitutions. Abelardo, trying his team to score, introduced attacking changes, while Mel opted for more tactical changes. Sporting was nervous and trying without much accuracy; Betis, on the other hand, wanted to reduce the pace of the match in every play, creating without rush.

It could all have changed in the 88^th minute when Cases gave a sensational pass behind Betis defenders, but Guerrero missed the goal. And two minutes later, Molina had a chance to kill the match completely. Petros, who replaced Ceballos in the second half, launched a counter attack after stealing the ball in the midfield. The Brazilian played a one-two with Jorge Molina, who found himself completely off mark inside the box, and goalkeeper Alberto beside one of the goalposts. But, surprisingly, Molina made a terrible effort that went wide.

In the end, a two-faced Betis got a precious victory away that allows the team to get its confidence back after the defeat on Thursday.

Real Sporting de Gijon: Alberto, Lora, Luis, Meré (Pablo Pérez 81), Isma López (Guerrero 62), Sergio, Cases, Jony (Muñiz 75), Halilovic, Menéndez, Carlos Castro.
Goals: Carlos Castro 17.

Real Betis Balompié: Adán, Piccini, Bruno, Westermann, Varela, N’Diaye, Ceballos (Petros 70), Joaquín (Molina 78), Portillo, Cejudo (Xavi Torres 86), Rubén Castro.
Booked: N’Diaye 69.
Goals: Joaquín 46, Rubén Castro 57.

Referee: Martínez Munuera.