Real Betis facing ‘crisis’ ahead of Rangers tie in Europa League as Manuel Pellegrini provides update
Real Betis could be without six first-team players for next week’s Europa League showdown with Rangers, but key man German Pezzella looks set to be fit.
The Gers travel to Benito Villamarin on Thursday (14 December) needing to either beat Betis or match Sparta Prague’s result against Aris Limassol to advance.
Betis are themselves not assured of progression, meaning Pellegrini will name as strong a side as possible, but he will have to operate with one hand tied behind his back.
As reported by Glasgow Times [9 December], William Carvalho, Guido Rodriguez, Nabil Fekir, Marc Bartra, Claudio Bravo and Youssouf Sabaly are all set to miss out.
However, German midfielder Pezzella has recovered from an injury in time to make himself available, as confirmed by Manuel Pellegrini.
“We have a lot of problems with players injured,” Pellegrini said. “The only positive we can take is that we did tests on German Pezzella, after he felt his hamstring, but he is good to play.
“But we are missing important players in a vital period of the season for us.”
Take advantage
This match is huge for Rangers, make no mistake about it. After being held by Aris on home soil last month, the Gers’ hopes of progression are at least still in their own hands.
The problem is, Philippe Clement’s men’s toughest match of the group comes in this final game, against one of LaLiga’s big hitters.
Coming away from Seville with three points is going to be a huge ask, but hopefully Aris can do Rangers a favour at home to Sparta Prague.
Failing to advance in the Europa League would be a big blow for Clement’s men, especially when they were only 90 minutes away from reaching the Champions League proper.
Betis seem to have plenty of problems, though, even if Pezzella should be fit, and hopefully that is something the Gers can take full advantage of.
What is certain is that it will be an incredibly tense evening in Spain.
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