This evening Real Betis were seriously brought back down to earth, not enough to draw definitive conclusions, but enough to get an idea about how well the team has taken the style of play Julio Velázquez wants on board; in addition to highlighting the strengths and weaknesses the team currently has beyond the tactical formation used.  

Today the manager was looking for, and found, new variants to exploit. Unlike the 4-4-2 system used against Brighton and Cartagena FC, he staged a formation based on 4-2-3-1 with Nono linking with the forwards, Rubén on the left wing and the wing-backs wide open alternating runs up the wing.

Elche CF started the match in control. Despite having a number of new faces (Tyton, Pelayo, Farj, Adrián, amongst others) they understood each other, were solvent and quick on attack, allowing them to beat the Betis defensive line which is still a work in progress. Meanwhile, the Betis squad was having difficulty creating any consistency and reach in their rivals final third The first goal for the visiting team, today wearing gold-and-black, came off a corner kick taken by Adrián and finished off by José Angel in the penalty area. Elche were in control and they scored a second goal. Fajr and Adrián changed positions, and the player form Madrid moved over to the left wing and the player from Morocco was waiting for his pass in the area. He received the ball and his right-footed shot wound up in the net.

Two goals down but Betis did not lose heart. Moreover, in the final stretch of the first half they played their best football and deserved a goal. They had several chances. In the 26th minute an incursion by Molinero ended in a pass to Molina which Sapunaru cleared for a corner. And in the 39th minute Lombán brought the player from Alcoy down in the area. Penalty. Molina tried to feign, but Tyton held his ground and guessed right stopping the shot to the centre. Rubén also had his chance before halftime. He received the ball on the right wing after a change in direction by Jordi and after several classy cuts to lose a couple of markers he entered the area, but whist he was still looking for a space to shoot the ball was cleared by a defender.

Halftime,and the team went in without the prize they deserved, especially the forwards.

The manager knows that in this phase you have to work and try everything. Which is why he completely changed all the players who had participated in the first half except Matilla. Elche also made a round of changes.

Just as in the match against Cartagena, Betis had greater possession of the ball and the forces were balanced. They lacked verticality but with Carlos García, very attentive with the recoveries, Pacheco, Sergio, Cedrick and Rennella, each with their own weapons, they all tried to level the match. The piece of play that resulted in 1-2 featured the apprentice, who after some individual play on the left wing, centred the ball in search of Casado. The wing-back used his chest to control the ball making it 1-2 equalling Rubén Castro in goals in this preseason stage at San Pedro with two goals to his name. The scoreboard was not to change and Real Betis had their first loss.

Despite the importance of the result, the assimilation of new strategies and putting them into practice to find solutions for such a long season is more important.

Real Betis: Adán; Molinero, Perquis, Jordi Figueras, Álex Martínez; Xavi, Matilla (74’ Eder); Vadillo, Nono, Rubén and Molina. In the second half Dani Giménez; Isaac, Bruno, Caro, Casado; Carlos García (82’ César de la Hoz), Cedrick, Sergio, Pacheco and Rennella played.

Elche CF: Tyton; Sapunaru, Lombán, José Ángel, Edu Albacar; Mosquera, Adrián; Cristensen, Pelayo, Fajr and Cristian Herrera. Toño, Damián, Charlie y Pelegrin, Cisma, Rodrigues, Álvaro, Pasalic, Coro, Samu, Sergi also played

Referee. Melgares de Aguilar. Mostró tarjeta amarilla

Goals. 0-1 12’ José Ángel. 0-2 17’ Fajr . 2-1 52’ Casado