Real Betis Balompié has obtained today a precious victory against Málaga CF in La Rosaleda Stadium. The team worked hard to get the three points in an even match. The players defended well throughout the match and took advantage of a counterattack after a mistake made by the home team. For yet another match, Rubén Castro scored for the Green-and-White side, and has done it seven times so far this season.

For this match, Pepe Mel introduced several changes in the starting eleven from the previous match against Athletic Club. Westermann returned after his injury; Digard and Petros made up the midfield; and Rafael Van der Vaart started for the second time in the season. The team started focused on the match, as Pepe Mel made emphasis during the week on the strong start of the matches that Málaga CF usually makes. In this way, the team was defended together close to the edge of the box defended by Antonio Adán.

In the first ten minutes, Málaga CF had a couple of chances to score first, but they were not clear enough. The Betis fans that traveled to Malaga had to wait 13 minutes to see the first chance for their team. A good combination of passes between Rubén Castro and Van der Vaart that ended with Kameni blocking the ball out to corner kick after an effort from the Spaniard. But it was the home team the one that had more occasions in the first half. Juankar, former Betis player, found himself completely alone inside the box but Adán responded in great form to his shot.

A couple of minutes later, Tighadouini dribbled well a couple of Betis defenders and shot from the edge of the box, but the ball went wide. Real Betis had then a really good chance, when Joaquín sent a sensational cross to the second post but Rubén Castro’s header went high. In the 32^nd minute, Juankar, again, had a very similar chance to his previous one. And yet for another time, he found a great response from the Green-and-White keeper. Just before half time, Betis had a good chance to go in advantage to the break. A great counterattack launched by Joaquín who passed the ball to Rubén Castro, He gave a pass to Van der Vaart, but the Dutch shot wide.

At half time, Mel decided to bring on Xavi Torres to replace Digard. Since the beginning, it was plain to see that the match was more balanced now. Betis pushed forward a bit more and made Málaga CF struggle. But the plot changed in the 64^th minute. A mistake in the midfield from Málaga and the ball fell to the feet of Rubén Castro. Betis top scorer of all time run towards the goal and put the ball past Kameni with great class. A fantastic strike from Castro.

The match then became much slower. Real Betis move its lines a bit back, conscious that Málaga was going to try to level the score. The team wanted to take the three points home and it was time to work hard and patiently for it. On the other hand, Málaga wanted to attack as much as they can, but they were doing it so in rush, so the plays were not elaborate enough. The best opportunity came in the 76^th minute when Charles shot after a cross sent from the left by Juankar. The shot of the Brazilian was saved amazingly by Adán, who completed a great performance.

The match went on in the same fashion for the remaining minutes without almost any clear chance. In the end, a worked victory for the men managed by Pepe Mel. The team continues with its fantastic streak playing away.

Málaga CF: Kameni, Rosales, Angeleri, Weligton, Boka, Tissone, Recio (Cop 70), Duda, Tighadouini (Mastour 85), Juankar (Horta 77), Charles.
Booked: Angeleri 48, Charles 79.

Real Betis Balompié: Adán, Piccini, Bruno, Westermann, Varela, Petros, Digard (Xavi Torres 46), Joaquín, Cejudo (Molinero 85), Van der Vaart (Ceballos 66), Rubén Castro.
Goals: Rubén Castro 64.
Booked: Bruno 31, Cejudo 40, Piccini 78, Varela 90, Van Wolfswinkel 90 (bench).