Kadir shone in the victory against UE Llagostera (2-0)
Real Betis had their debut in a competition that the Betis fans like against a rival, UE Llagostera, who they will meet later in the league but the Cup draw had brought their meeting forward. The match also saw Kadir's debut on the right wing, and Dani Giménez in goal. A match in which Velázquez's squad wanted to get rid of the bitter taste after their defeat in Ponferrada. The match was not to start with the rhythm that Betis would have liked.
The manager from Salamanca included some changes in the team in comparison with league matches but the tactical formation was the same. Matilla, Nono and Xavi made up the green-and-white midfield but the Catalan trenches made it impossible for them to move the ball around quickly and, consequently, they were not reaching Maragón's goal. The Heliopolitan team did not seem to be able to pull any plays off but Llagostera managed to be the first to strike but without effect on the scoreboard. It was off a set piece. First with a free kick taken by Pitu which was held well by Dani Giménez and later another shot struck the post. It was quite a shock for the home team who were shaken back into life. Rubén was the most incisive in his team and he pushed up the left wing, and whilst the piece of play created some uncertainty in the visiting defence, it did not lead to anything. Jorge was also encouraged but his centre into the area had the same fate as the last.
Betis came closes to scoring off a centre by Kadir to the far post where Rubén sent it into the net with his left foot bu no between the posts. Matilla also had a go with a long shot. And Molinero, which was saved by Moragón. But density was the keynote of the Betis plays and apathy seemed to be more prominent. Once again Llagostera gave them a fright. The visitors were not having much continuity in their attacks, they were isolated, but the few they had in the first half got the stands murmuring. In the 42nd minute the referee annulled a gaol by Enric Pí for being off side, once again off a free kick on the wing.
In the second half they grew stronger. Llagostera claimed a possible penalty on Querol and Betis counterattack ending in a goal by Matilla. Kadir got to the goal line and set up the ball for the midfielder coming in behind him and this time he did not let the opportunity go to waste. An exciting minute in the second half.
Matilla's goal changed the run of play and it was Kadir who was making the plays. In a great piece of play by the Franco-Algerian who first passed to himself to get round his mark only to put a low pass through to Rennella who scored the second with pleasure. Eleven minutes in and Betis was leading 2-0 and dispelled any doubts that were forming in the first half. Castillejo's squad continued to follow the same script and had there chances. Perquis gave his all in a one on one between Querol and Dani and the Polish player managed to block the shot. In the resulting corner kick Llagostera once again claimed a penalty, this time suggesting that there was a handball by Damien.
Velázquez decided that Kadir had had some good minutes and decided to substitute him with Álvaro Cejudo. When the match once again started to lose pace, Rubén chivvied it along. The player from the Canary Islands discovered another facet, taking free kicks, this direct free kick struck the crossbar.
From that moment on the match was over because of Betis's control of the run of play, they had possession of the ball and came close to scoring more but their two goals were enough to see the green-and-whites progress and to calm the waters prior to the league match at home against Albacete.