| Real Betis (4) | Valencia (1) |
| 14′ Borja Iglesias (PEN) 30′ Borja Iglesias 61′ German Pezzella 68′ Juanmi | 39′ Gabriel Paulista |
Valencia fans, look away. This was utterly embarrassing. What is happening? Our team no longer looks like the side that made such an electrifying start to the season. The Bats are tumbling down the table fast, and a crisis is looming on the horizon – if it is not already here.
First Sevilla, now Real Betis. Jose Bordalas’ men must hate making the trip to Seville. They were heading down south hoping to snap a 6-game winless streak. But awaiting his stuttering team was a formidable Betis side currently sitting 5th in LaLiga, coached by former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
In his pre-match conference. Bordalas had promised his team would give a “very good showing” against Betis. It would prove to be famous last words.
At the Estadio Benito Villamarin, the visitors suffered a nightmare start after Omar Alderete’s rash tackle in the 12th minute brought down Betis frontman Borja Iglesias. A lengthy check by VAR deemed the foul a penalty and up stepped Iglesias to send Jasper Cillessen the wrong way.
The nightmare had only just begun. Los Verdiblancos were slicing through Valencia’s defence at will like a red velvet cake, with the maroon shirts all at sea. Jasper Cillessen was made to work hard for his wages, making vital saves from Nabil Fekir and William Carvalho. But he was helpless when Iglesias’ shot took a wicked deflection off Dimitri Foulquier.
It had barely passed the half-hour mark, but Los Che were already in serious trouble. In the technical area, Bordalas was ashen-faced. A goal from Gabriel Paulista raised hopes of yet another fightback. The half-time whistle offered the opportunity to regroup.
Instead, the team fell apart with even more defensive errors after the break. Where were our defenders when German Pazzella rose unmarked to head home Fekir’s corner? We’re still wondering what was Mouctar Diakhaby trying to do, after his poor attempt at a defensive header allowed Juanmi to nip in and complete the rout.
The only bright spot of an otherwise completely miserable evening was watching the youngster Jesus Vasquez making his league debut.
Los Che are now in the bottom half of the table, and something needs to change. It’d better come quick – Villarreal and Atletico Madrid are up next.
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