A spirited and tenacious Eibar denied Real Betis a fourth consecutive victory in
La Liga, fighting back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at the Benito Villamarin.
Betis were looking for their 25th victory of a hugely productive 2018, and knew that three points would put them above Alaves, in fifth place. They'd won their last two home games against Eibar, both 2-0.
La Liga, fighting back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at the Benito Villamarin.
Betis were looking for their 25th victory of a hugely productive 2018, and knew that three points would put them above Alaves, in fifth place. They'd won their last two home games against Eibar, both 2-0.
Junior Firpo had picked up an injury at Espanyol the week before, so Cristian Tello started at left wing back. Quique Setien selected Antonio Sanabria ahead of Loren Moron in attack. Betis played 3-5-2 as expected.
Jose Luis Mendilibar stuck with his trusted 4-4-2 system but was without top scorer Charles, so Kike Garcia started. Mendilibar dropped Pape Diop and Paulo Oliveira to the bench, preferring Gonzalo Escalante and Anaitz Arbilla instead.
Within 10 minutes Fabian Orellana was through on goal for the visitors, but Pau Lopez narrowed the angle and made a good block. Seven minutes later Orellana had another strike at goal, this time blazing over.
Betis were passing the ball beautifully and put together a delightful move after 21 minutes. Willam Carvalho, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Tello combined to set up Sanabria who scored his first goal of the league campaign from close range.
Betis' passing style was clear: from the goalkeeper they played short to one of their three centre backs. Carvalho dropped short to offer an option, as did both wing backs. This enabled Betis to create triangles to move the ball forward. Joaquin, Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Canales offered the attacking link towards Sanabria.
Marc Barta, stretching to reach Aissa Mandi's pass, came within a few inches of doubling Betis' lead, but aside from that Asier Riesgo seemed relatively untroubled in the visitor's goal.
Just before half time Kiko Garcia almost teed up Sergi Enrich but Marc Bartra made an excellent intervention.
After thousands of cuddly toys were thrown on the pitch at half time, the second half kicked off and within four minutes Escalante went off with a muscle strain. Diop was his direct replacement.
Mendilibar had spoken before the match about the need to press Betis high up the pitch in order to win possession in attacking areas. His side did this very well.
After 58 minutes Eibar counter attacked and should have tested Lopez in goal but Kike Garcia under-hit his pass to Marc Cucurella and Lo Celso made an illegal challenge. He was booked, and Mendilibar was sent to the stands for protesting that the Argentine should have been sent off.
Eibar were on the front foot and created some wonderful chances to equalise. After Jose Angel burst forward, Kike Garcia squared for Enrich who somehow missed the target for eight yards. It was a guilt-edged miss.
Four minutes later Kike Garcia forced a save from Lopez, as Eibar grew stronger and stronger. When Zou Feddal (on for Sidnei, who injured his shoulder in the first half) pulled Ivan Ramis' shirt in the box, Eibar had a penalty.
Orellana side footed it under Lopez to score for the first time since February, and make it 1-1. This was the first goal Betis had conceded at home in 7 hours and 40 minutes - since Suso scored for AC Milan on November 8th. It was also the first goal Eibar had scored away form home in seven and a half hours, since Enrich scored at Girona on October 6th.
After that Eibar came closest to winning the encounter. A wonderful long range effort from Joan Jordan was tipped over by Lopez, before Asier Riesgo himself responded with a save to deny Canals after a delightful through ball by Feddal.
With eight minutes remaining Frances failed to clear a long punt forward by Jose Angel and Kike Garcia was clean through on goal in oceans of space. He dragged his shot wide, when Orellana was well placed to his right.
In the end neither team could find a winning goal, and it finished 1-1.
The draw means that Betis have lost just one of their last seven league games, and finish the year on 26 points.
Eibar drew for the third match running, and have now lost just twice in ten games. They close the year on 21 points.
Images from Estadio Deportivo and AS
Comments
Post a Comment