MATCH REPORT | A good European night (3-0)
A happy night today in Benito Villamarín Stadium, as the Green and Whites fans witnessed their team back in European competitions. The team improved along the match and beat F91 Dudelange with three goals scored by Sanabria, Lo Celso and Tello. It was the first time ever that Betis played against a team from Luxemburg.
Just after the kick-off the away team had the first chance with a long-range effort that Robles deflected into corner-kick. It could be seen in that play that in spite of being a modest team, Dudelange is well-worked team, with good moves and accurate passing.
After the first warning, Betis began to accumulate the possession and look for a way to the goal. After a few tries, Inui had the first clear chance, but his effort went high. Guardado tried a couple of minutes later from well outside the box, missing by not much. The control was absolute and the pressing really strong, but Dudelange yet found ways to loose up a bit at certain moments. The best so far came from Carvalho with a left-footed shot that Frising deflected.
Guardado tried a couple of times more before half time. First, with a nice touch that went a whisker away; and just before the whistle with a free-kick that met a good response from the keeper.
Just after the game resumed, Real Betis had the first. A good cross from Sanabria that León shot high. Dudelange replied with a header in a corner kick that almost became the opener of the game if Robles had not been there with a great save. Immediately after, the referee disallowed a goal by Bartra for an alleged foul on the keeper.
Betis continued attacking with all the players close to the opposite area and that almost paid a heavy price as the away team almost scored in a counterattack, but Robles again saved it. However, the goal for the Green and Whites finally came with the first of the season for Sanabria. Sidnei headed the ball into the crossbar and the rebound was nodded in by the Paraguayan.
The goal didn't change the idea for Real Betis and the team kept on attacking. Giovani Lo Celso scored the second and, thus, his first goal in the team. The Argentine began a great run from the midfield towards the goal. He passed the ball to Sanabria and the latter returned it. Lo Celso dribbled inside the small box and put the ball past Frising.
Finally, when the game was coming to an end, Tello made the third. He stole the ball just outside Betis box and gave it to Joaquín. The skipper launched the counterattack and assisted Tello who nutmegged the keeper to close the score.
Real Betis Balompié: Joel Robles, Barragán, Bartra, Javi García, Sidnei, Tello, William Carvalho, Guardado (Lo Celso 59'), Inui (Joaquín 71'), Sergio León (Kaptoum 81'), Sanabria. Goals: Sanabria (56'), Lo Celso (80'), Tello (87'). Booked: Sanabria (18').
F91 Dudelange: Frising, Jordanov, Schnell, Prempeh, El Hriti, Kruska, Couturier, Mélisse (Stumpf 66'), Stolz (Kenia 76'), Sinani (Pokar 81'), Turpel. Booked: Kruska (38'), Jordanov (52'), El Hriti (58').
Referee: Andrew Dallas, Scotland.