Betis hosts the Cádiz Carnival evening | Soccer | Sports

Betis offered the evening of the Cádiz Carnival with a victory as fair as it was indisputable. Manuel Pellegrini’s team had the merit of scoring in two key moments of the match, in the opening minutes of each half. Cádiz, eliminated, was able to react somewhat in the first half, but sank in the second, still at the mercy of Betis after Fornals’ superb goal. It’s a good thing for the League that Fornals’ talent comes back from the Prime Minister. At Cádiz, Pellegrino’s effect on the bench dissipated, resulting in two goalless draws in two matches. Pellegrini’s Betis are putting a lot of pressure on Real in the fight for Europe. Their good work in the winter market was reflected in the good performance of players like Cardoso and Fornals himself.

Up to 10,000 raincoats had to be distributed in Cádiz on a Friday when it was raining so hard in Andalusia. At the end of the clash, many home fans were thrown onto the pitch in protest, very unhappy with the defeat. The grass of Nuevo Mirandilla held up thanks to its wonderful drainage to facilitate the expected duel on the benches between Pellegrino and Pellegrini. The two men played as central defenders, then coached the Catholic University of Chile and faced each other yesterday in a crucial match for both teams, especially for Cádiz, three points from relegation with a game in hand. With also the burden of accumulating 19 games without winning, quite a comeback. Betis took great advantage of the local nerves and their staging was excellent.

Fekir took charge from the start. Little by little, he finds his best version. His quality gave the impetus to Betis who took the advantage very quickly. After six minutes, Cardoso put the ball into the box for Willian José to make it 0-1. The goal hurt Cadiz. They struggled to distribute the ball and Betis came in loose. Cadiz was saved by Ledesma, once again, with a save after a great action from Fekir. Before, he was attentive to Miranda. Supported by its goalkeeper, Cadiz reacted at the end of the first half. Betis once again made the mistake that haunts them away from home in many matches in this League: they score and retreat, playing with fire. Cádiz advanced the lines and with more heart than head, they took advantage of a great opportunity in the 43rd minute. Rui Silva saved Escalante and Chris Ramos miraculously missed the dismissal. Despite the initial superiority, Betis won fairly at half-time. Fornals’ superb goal at the start of the second act put an end to the resistance of Cádiz, lost in its labyrinth: it now remains 20 games without a victory. The playmaker’s action was excellent. He dislocated Pires with a swing of his hips then finished perfectly with his left leg.

“They had the merit of killing us at two key moments,” argued Mauricio Pellegrino. “Scoring early always helps, but I think we were better throughout the game. We started very well, solid behind and with the ball. We scored and we had the chance to score more goals. After half an hour we lost our aggression with the ball and Cádiz came closer. The second half that we played was very complete”, maintained Manuel Pellegrini. “Willian José played a very complete match. I think it is the triumph of the team. Also a good match from Cardoso, from Roca, but I think all my players played at a high level,” concluded the Verdiblanco coach.

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