The hot topic ever since they humiliated Barcelona at the Camp Nou, Real Betis have progressed tremendously under coach Quique Setien.
After losing a gem of a player in Fabian Ruiz to Napoli, Betis were forced to search for a long term replacement of a similar profile as that of the Spaniard’s.
Euro 2006 champion William Carvalho was purchased for a mere €20 million from Sporting and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Giovani Lo Celso was also roped in on loan to strengthen the midfield. In all probability, Verdiblancos will trigger the option to buy the midfielder for €30 million.
Although the crux of Setien’s philosophy has been untouched, the former Las Palmas boss has tinkered around with his formation a bit this season. Contrary to last season’s 4-3-3, Betis now play in a 3-5-2 formation which occasionally shifts to a 3-4-2-1 with one of Sergio Canales or Lo Celso advancing forward.
The latter started as a deep lying playmaker initially but after impressing in a more advanced role, Setien decided the Argentinian is far better further up the pitch. This also coincided with a sudden rise in Carvalho’s form.
The Portuguese had a terrible start to his career at Betis in his deep role but was on top of his game against Milan at San Siro and Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Tiemoue Bakayoko fights for the ball with Giovani Lo Celso
This allowed Lo Celso freedom in the midfield and the 22-year-old has done justice to the expectations which had surrounded his transfer. Not the fastest or the strongest on the field, the Lo Celso is a brilliant distributor of the ball, technically gifted with a good eye for final balls into the box.
The Rosario born star has stepped up in all crucial games for Betis this season. He scored and assisted in Betis’ 2-1 win at the San Siro, scored their only goal in the 1-1 draw in the return leg and capped off a brilliant month with a ten on ten performance against Barcelona which also had his name on the scoresheet.
Lo Celso has also formed a good partnership with Canales and the pair usually win all their midfield battles, most recently against one of the best midfields in Europe.
However, the Seville based club haven’t enjoyed the prettiest of starts in the league. They have won, drawn and lost four games each and the number of defeats don’t do justice to their performances.
Betis start every game on the front foot and dominate their opponents on most occasions. However, they have displayed shades of impotency in the final third and vulnerability on the counter which is direct consequence of playing a high line.
If we are to go by their last three performances or so, Beticos can pride themselves on finding a solution for the former. And the answer has arrived in the form of the 22-year-old Argentinian.
With Lo Celso playing as an attacking midfielder, the penetration into the final third has been more promising. He often plays a ball down the wing and attacks the space inside the box as he attempts to convert the return pass from Junior Firpo.
He’ll be extremely crucial in determining how this season will pan out for Real Betis and can potentially make a case to be this season’s best buy in La Liga.
Also, what were you thinking Mr. Jorge Sampaoli? You had a Bentley and you drove a fiat at the World Cup.
