Liga Preview: Betis-Real Madrid
This is undoubtedly the most mouth-watering clash of round two between two of La Liga's real heavyweights.
This is undoubtedly the most mouth-watering clash of round two between two of La Liga's real heavyweights.
Betis started off like a house on fire against Deportivo La Coruna last week, securing a stunning 4-2 victory at the Riazor. New midfield sensation Marcos Assuncao had an outstanding game, hitting the bar three times from free-kicks. Ironically the goal that he did score in the first-half came on his weaker left foot. A super strike into the top left-hand corner of Jose Molina's goal.
Betis' problem last season was a lack of goals but this campaign they look a side bristling with talent up front. The Southern side desperately missed striker Gaston Casas when he was injured early in the season, but the Argentine is back now and scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 midweek win over Jerez in the Copa del Rey. Alfonso, meanwhile, enjoyed a fruitful debut two weeks ago and once again looks ready to score goals in La Liga after some barren years away from the Manuel Ruiz De Lopera.
There is a danger that Real Madrid may have one eye on that huge Champions League clash against Roma in the Champions League next week, although coach Vicente Del Bosque will be doing everything in his power to ensure that his players are focused for this titanic tussle.
The Merengues weren't particularly impressive against Espanyol two weeks ago but got the job done thanks to goals from the ever-reliable Ivan Helguera and substitute Steve McManaman.
President Florentino Perez has succeeded in clearing out some of the dead wood and Real now have a squad with an excellent mix of luxurious foreign talent and local lads willing to die for the cause. Out have gone Pedro Munitis (Santander), Savio (Bordeaux), Ivan Campo (Bolton) and Geremi (Middlesbrough) in order to cut the squad and the wage bill.
In midweek Real had a crushing 8-1 victory over Sanse in the Copa del Rey. Support strikers Tote and Javier Portillo bagged themselves a hat-trick each, while Fernando Morientes was also on the scoresheet. Seeing the Spanish international striker amongst the reserves may become a more regular sight once Ronaldo is fit and recovered from his latest injury.
Probable line-ups
Betis: 4-2-3-1: Prats, Luis Fernández, Juanito, Rivas, Varela; Capi, Ito, Denilson, Joaquín, Assuncao, Alfonso.
Real Madrid: 4-2-3-1: Casillas, Michel Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Makelele, Cambiasso; Figo, Raúl, Zidane, Guti or Morientes.
Players to watch
Marcos Assuncao (Betis)- the Brazilian is the new revelation of the Spanish league and a call-up to the national team can't now be far away. Deportivo coach Javier Irureta must have been impressed with the midfielder's input in the first match as he took a swipe at Roma boss Fabio Capello for not telling him the player was for sale prior to his switch to Betis in the summer. Could prove the bargain of the summer at just £4.5 million.
Raul (Real Madrid)- the Spanish international so often comes up with the goods for the Merengues in away matches. By his standards he had a poor goalscoring campaign last season (just 14 goals) and will want to make up for lost time against Betis. Netted for Spain in their Euro 2004 qualifier against Greece last weekend.