Against Rayo Vallecano
Real Betis have reached the Copa del Rey Cup final for the first time since the 2004/05 season. On Thursday evening, coach Manuel Pellegrini’s team drew 1-1 (0-0) against league rival Rayo Vallecano in the second leg of the semifinals, the first game ended 2-1 for the Seville club. The Verdiblancos were temporarily behind in the second meeting when substitute Bebé gave the Madrid team the lead with a free-kick (80′). With this intermediate result, the game would have gone into extra time, but Borja Iglesias scored in added time to equalize (90 + 3).
Veteran Joaquin initiated the attack before a pass in the direction of the opponent’s penalty area followed to Sergio Canales. The international, with the help of opponent Alejandro Catena, tipped the ball in front of the goal line, where Iglesias was there. “I’m very happy with the way we played the game from start to finish. Claudio Bravo (goalkeeper; ed.) didn’t play in the ninety minutes and after conceding we kept the suspense up by relying on what we had done,” said coach Pellegrini, who said the numerous conclusions indicated. “This team has gotten used to not playing with the scoreboard in their heads because they are so mature.”
In the final, Real Betis meet FC Valencia, who beat Bilbao’s Athletic Club the day before. A 1-1 draw in the first leg was followed by a 1-0 for the “Fledermäuse”, in which Gonçalo Guedes became the match winner with his goal in the 43rd minute. The club aims for the next cup success after winning the title in the 2018/19 season. This year’s final will take place in Seville on April 24, where the Estadio de La Cartuja will reopen.
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