04.11.2007 10:54
New style Betis continue to struggle
Jordi Clos
After avoiding the drop in almost miraculous fashion for two seasons, Betis, in their centenary year, are now in the hands of a manager who is used to getting results: Héctor Cúper.
The Argentinian is very different to his predecessors. Víctor Fernández, Llorenç Serra Ferrer and
Frenchman Luís Fernández have all been at the helm of the Seville based club in the last five
years, some with more luck than others, but always with the desire to play entertaining football.
Poor placings in the last two seasons have led Betis to opt for a very different manager this
term. The former boss of the likes of Mallorca Inter Milan has based his team around a solid
defence.
New signings not starting
Betis have one of the most balanced squads of recent seasons, having made seven prestigious
international signings. Tight tactics have been compensated by the arrival of tried and tested
international figures, such as Chilean Mark González. But only goalkeeper Ricardo is getting a
regular game. The rest of the team form part of something of an old guard.
More of the same
Despite the change of philosophy,
Betis
are still struggling in the lower half of the table, currently seventeenth, on the same points as
Getafe, who are in the relegation zone. They have simply not managed to get any kind of decent form
together, and have only won one of their matches, at home to Mallorca (3-0). Other than that, all
they have achieved are 5 draws and 4 defeats.
Unhappy fans
The 3-0 defeat at home to Osasuna on Wednesday was a particularly harsh blow to the Betis
faithful. The crowd at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera booed the players off the pitch, with none of the
serenity, ambition or attitude sought by Héctor Cúper managing to convince the fans about their
team.
The Argentinian’s job has been pronounced secure by the Betis board, but there is no
doubt that questions are being asked, and tonight’s game is of particular importance. After
the Osasuna debacle, anything but a good performance could see those in charge of Betis ringing the
changes very soon.
The Betis squad
Ricardo, Toni Doblas, Babic, Fernando Vega, Ilic, Juanito, Lima, Arzu, Fernando, Juande, Isidoro,
Mark González, Rivera, Somoza, Caffa, Edu, José Mari, Pavone and Xisco.