Match Report


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Match Report
A few clouds cover the sky here at Manuel Ruiz de Lopera where Real Betis Balompié play host to Deportivo La Coruña. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in good condition.
Both Real Betis Balompié and Deportivo La Coruña are lined up in a 3-4-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by Ricardo  Cruz.


0.00
Real Betis Balompié kick off and get the match underway!
2.03
Cesar Martins sees Pedro Hierro in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Pedro Hierro threads the ball through to Oliver Rahn. Oliver Rahn makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Albert Blanco but he's offside!
9.04
Scott Greig changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Scott Greig tries a spectacular long range effort. Superb reactions from Michael Fuchs. What a save!
15.47
Pedro Hierro takes it forward alone. Pedro Hierro shoots from 25 yards but it flies wide!
16.00
Geoffroy Desailly pushes mid-way up the pitch. Geoffroy Desailly flicks a high pass forward. Gerhard Nahrstedt collects the pass. Gerhard Nahrstedt whips in a cross ball towards Scott Dickov. Scott Dickov makes a looping header on goal. What a cracker!! Michael Fuchs had no chance!! Goal for Deportivo La Coruña!
20.44
Nunzio Rivalta plays the ball forward to Oliver Rahn. Oliver Rahn lofts in a cross ball towards Albert Blanco. With a superhuman jump, Albert Blanco connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
26.28
Des May chips the ball to his team mate, Pedro Hierro. Pedro Hierro makes a probing pass to Albert Blanco. Albert Blanco knocks the ball to his team mate, Juan-Carlos Sanz. Juan-Carlos Sanz comes in from the right and smashes a shot from 11 yards out. Solid save from Simion Cuza.
27.00
Cesar Martins makes a probing pass to Pedro Hierro. Pedro Hierro flicks a high pass forward. Albert Blanco holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Albert Blanco tries a spectacular long range effort but it scrapes just over the bar. Good effort!
36.40
Nunzio Rivalta barges into Jaime Valente. Nunzio Rivalta is given a warning by the referee! Jaime Valente runs off the knock.
39.57
Pedro Hierro chips the ball to his team mate, Oliver Rahn. Oliver Rahn shoots from outside the area but is denied by Simion Cuza. Excellent save.
44.46
Des May passes the ball forward to Gudmundur Ingi Sverrisson. Gudmundur Ingi Sverrisson sees Juan-Carlos Sanz in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Juan-Carlos Sanz knocks in a cross ball towards Albert Blanco. Albert Blanco beats his man to it with a header. The ball flies into the top corner - goal!!
45.00
The whistle blows and the first half comes to an end!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Real Betis Balompié appear unchanged since the first half. Deportivo La Coruña have changed their lineup with Pablo Carcedo replacing Arjen Gronkjaer, Jamie Fenton replacing Scott Greig and Karl Lee replacing Scott Dickov. Both teams look fired up and appear much more hungry than they were previously.

45.00
The whistle blows and Deportivo La Coruña get the second half underway!
55.24
Seeing a gap ahead, Des May picks a pass forward to Pedro Hierro. Pedro Hierro kicks a strong pass forward to Albert Blanco. Albert Blanco skips past Pablo Carcedo! Albert Blanco looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. It's miles wide!
59.30
Gudmundur Ingi Sverrisson flicks a high pass forward. Albert Blanco controls it well on his chest. Albert Blanco knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Pablo Carcedo.
60.16
Deportivo La Coruña appear to have rearranged themselves into a 4-2-4 formation.
63.31
Des May flicks a high pass forward to Liam Melis who brings the ball under control. Liam Melis chips the ball to his team mate, Juan-Carlos Sanz. Juan-Carlos Sanz shoots from outside the area but it's a woeful effort!
65.07
Gudmundur Ingi Sverrisson threads a neat ball through to Albert Blanco. Albert Blanco lofts in a cross ball towards Oliver Rahn. Oliver Rahn flicks the ball with his head. Solid save from Simion Cuza.
67.05
Des May kicks a strong pass forward to Pedro Hierro. Pedro Hierro knocks the ball forward to Albert Blanco. Albert Blanco knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Jaime Valente.
71.28
Pedro Hierro flicks a high pass forward. Albert Blanco controls it well on his chest. Albert Blanco knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
73.18
Nunzio Rivalta threads the ball through to Albert Blanco. Albert Blanco knocks in a cross ball towards Oliver Rahn. Oliver Rahn finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. Oliver Rahn scores for Real Betis Balompié!!
77.22
Cesar Martins chips the ball to his team mate, Pedro Hierro. Pedro Hierro threads a neat ball through to Oliver Rahn. Oliver Rahn knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
79.47
Des May flicks a high pass forward. Nunzio Rivalta collects the pass. Nunzio Rivalta kicks a strong pass forward to Juan-Carlos Sanz. Juan-Carlos Sanz finds some space and shoots from distance. It's miles wide!
81.35
Gudmundur Ingi Sverrisson plays the ball forward to Oliver Rahn. Oliver Rahn knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Simion Cuza who gathers it comfortably.
84.54
Jaime Valente hacks Gudmundur Ingi Sverrisson from behind! Jaime Valente is given a warning by the referee! Gudmundur Ingi Sverrisson runs off the knock.
87.42
Tomek Iwan passes the ball forward to Liam Melis. Liam Melis kicks a strong pass forward to Albert Blanco. Albert Blanco knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
89.39
Liam Melis flicks a high pass forward to Albert Blanco who brings the ball under control. Albert Blanco lofts in a cross ball towards Oliver Rahn. Oliver Rahn makes a deft header. Simion Cuza gathers the ball up comfortably. Quality keeping!
90.00
Showing composure, Liam Melis plays the ball forward to Juan-Carlos Sanz. Juan-Carlos Sanz whips in a cross ball towards Oliver Rahn. Oliver Rahn connects with a diving header. Simion Cuza didn't know what hit him as the ball comes off him at close range. The loose ball is scrambled clear by the defence.
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!

Match Statistics
Goals
3
1
Shots on Target
8
2
Shots off Target
5
0
Offsides
1
0
Fouls
1
1
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
80.6%
19.4%
Play Area
22.2%
43.1%
34.7%


Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Albert Blanco of Real Betis Balompié

Match Ratings
1.Michael Fuchs (GK)
6
2.Des May (DEF)
7
3.Cesar Martins (DEF)
6
4.Tomek Iwan (DEF)
6
5.Liam Melis (MID)
6
6.Gudmundur Ingi Sverrisson (MID)
6
7.Pedro Hierro (MID)
7
8.Nunzio Rivalta (MID)
6
9.Juan-Carlos Sanz (ATT)
6
10.Oliver Rahn (ATT)goal scored
8
11.Albert Blanco (ATT)goal scoredgoal scored
9
 
12.Jo Kippe (DEF)
0
13.Jose Cortes (MID)
0
14.Rigobert Wome (ATT)
0

1.Simion Cuza (GK)
7
2.Kubilay Ayaz (DEF)
6
3.Geoffroy Desailly (DEF)
6
4.Arjen Gronkjaer (DEF)
6
5.Jaime Valente (MID)
5
6.Giulliano Lurling (MID)
6
7.Ledley Scowcroft (MID)
6
8.Scott Greig (MID)
6
9.Gerhard Nahrstedt (ATT)
6
10.Scott Dickov (ATT)goal scored
7
11.Pablo Ruiz (ATT)
6
 
12.Pablo Carcedo (DEF)
6
13.Jamie Fenton (MID)
6
14.Karl Lee (ATT)
6