Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by 1Rai |
Match Report
An overcast sky looms overhead here at Manuel Ruiz de Lopera where Real Betis Balompié play host to RCD Espanyol. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Real Betis Balompié are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while RCD Espanyol appear to be shaped for 4-3-2-1.
Today's match is refereed by Gabriel Arias.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Real Betis Balompié are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while RCD Espanyol appear to be shaped for 4-3-2-1.
Today's match is refereed by Gabriel Arias.
0.00
0-0The whistle blows and Real Betis Balompié get the match underway!
2.47
0-0Victor José Mari catches Peter Madrid on the ankles. The referee brings Victor José Mari to one side and gives him a warning! Peter Madrid stretches but gets up unharmed.
4.39
0-0Hugo Vazquez knocks the ball to his team mate, Richard James. Richard James runs deep into the other half of the pitch. Richard James shoots from distance but somehow Bonaventure Manfredini manages to keep it out.
6.42
1-0Edmundo Alonso flicks a high ball forward to Richard James who takes it down. Richard James controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Denny Dijkstra. Denny Dijkstra shoots from 20 yards. It's a goal!! What a beauty!
10.50
Frederico Guardiola makes a beautiful solo run. Frederico Guardiola runs straight at the defence! Frederico Guardiola side-steps and rifles a shot at goal. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
14.08
2-0Stefan Busse makes a probing pass to Samuele Pecorari. Samuele Pecorari shoots from 25 yards but it is shockingly off target!
15.03
Julian Moya flicks a high pass forward to Albert Sanz who brings the ball under control. Albert Sanz surges forward with the ball. Albert Sanz finds some space and shoots from distance. Magnificent save by Lennart Sparwasser!
20.42
2-0Peter Madrid threads the ball through to Jose Marcelino. Jose Marcelino deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Claudio Cruz. Claudio Cruz knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Mohammed Van Der Ree.
21.45
With imagination, Richard James plays the ball forward to Victor José Mari. Victor José Mari knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Peter Madrid.
24.32
Dominic Ritchie flicks a high pass forward. Albert Sanz controls it well on his chest. Seeing a gap ahead, Albert Sanz plays the ball forward to Claudio Cruz. Claudio Cruz sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. Lennart Sparwasser gathers the ball up comfortably. Top class keeping!
32.01
Richard James kicks a strong pass forward to Frederico Guardiola. Frederico Guardiola skips past Dominic Ritchie! Some awkward footwork from Frederico Guardiola provides some space. He scuffs the ball at goal. Good keeping from Bonaventure Manfredini as he gets his fingers to the ball and pushes it wide.
33.41
2-0Richard James takes the corner, chipping the ball into the box. Jose Marcelino jumps high to head the ball out to safety!
39.53
2-0Albert Sanz clumsily knocks into Frederico Guardiola. Albert Sanz is shown the yellow card! Frederico Guardiola hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
40.55
Hugo Vazquez hacks Claudio Cruz from behind! Hugo Vazquez is warned by the referee! Claudio Cruz hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
42.45
Roberto Gutierrez passes the ball forward to Frederico Guardiola. Frederico Guardiola controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Richard James. Richard James skips past Peter Madrid! Richard James rockets a shot on goal. The ball takes a deflection leaving Bonaventure Manfredini with no chance!! Goal for Real Betis Balompié!
45.00
The referee whistles the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Real Betis Balompié appear unchanged since the first half. RCD Espanyol also appear unchanged since the first half. The RCD Espanyol players look more motivated than they were before.
45.00
RCD Espanyol kick off and get the second half underway!
51.07
Peter Madrid makes a simple pass to Albert Sanz. Albert Sanz surges forward with the ball. Albert Sanz whips in a cross ball towards Claudio Cruz. Claudio Cruz gets a glancing touch on the cross ball but it's a lousy effort!
54.50
Frederic Vander surges forward with the ball. Frederic Vander knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
60.53
3-0RCD Espanyol have made 3 substitutions with Colin McGrory replacing Peter Madrid, Graham Hall replacing Jose Marcelino and Henning Haaland replacing Samuele Pecorari .
61.61
Colin McGrory threads a neat ball through to Graham Hall. Graham Hall kicks a strong pass forward to Henning Haaland. Henning Haaland knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
63.34
Graham Hall surges forward with the ball. With some swift thinking, Graham Hall plays the ball forward to Stefan Busse. Stefan Busse knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
65.36
3-0Edmundo Alonso takes it forward alone. Edmundo Alonso makes a great pass forward. Roberto Gutierrez runs clear and latches on but the linesman indicates offside!
69.54
Julian Moya makes a probing pass to Frederic Vander. Frederic Vander kicks a strong pass forward to Henning Haaland. Henning Haaland knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
72.21
Frederic Vander sees Henning Haaland in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Henning Haaland knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Frederico Guardiola.
77.42
3-0Colin McGrory flicks the ball to his team mate, Henning Haaland. Henning Haaland lofts in a cross ball towards Claudio Cruz. Paolo Dionisi catches Claudio Cruz on the ankles. That's got to be a penalty! No, the referee isn't even looking in that direction!!
83.31
Roberto Gutierrez flicks a high ball forward to Victor José Mari who takes it down. Victor José Mari lofts in a cross ball towards Hugo Leon. Hugo Leon gets a glancing touch on the cross ball. The ball takes a deflection leaving Bonaventure Manfredini with no chance!! Goal for Real Betis Balompié!
89.56
Frederic Vander sees Stefan Busse in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Stefan Busse knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Edmundo Alonso.
90.00
Richard James advances with the ball. Richard James sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but it is miles over!
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle
Match Statistics
Goals
4
0
Shots on Target
6
2
Shots off Target
1
2
Offsides
1
0
Fouls
2
1
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
37.3%
62.7%
Play Area
24%
45.3%
30.7%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Richard James of Real Betis Balompié |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Lennart Sparwasser (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Hugo Vazquez (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Edmundo Alonso (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Paolo Dionisi (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Mohammed Van Der Ree (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Richard James (MID) |  | 9 |
| 7. | Frederico Guardiola (MID) | | 9 |
| 8. | Roberto Gutierrez (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Victor José Mari (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Hugo Leon (ATT) | | 7 |
| 11. | Denny Dijkstra (ATT) | | 7 |
| 12. | Lennart Sachs (ATT) | 0 | |
| 13. | Craig Campbell (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Jose Fortes Roman (DEF) | 0 | |
| 1. | Bonaventure Manfredini (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Dominic Ritchie (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Julian Moya (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Peter Madrid (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Carlos Molowny (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Jose Marcelino (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Albert Sanz (MID) |  | 6 |
| 8. | Frederic Vander (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Samuele Pecorari (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Claudio Cruz (MID) | 6 | |
| 11. | Stefan Busse (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Colin McGrory (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Graham Hall (MID) | 6 | |
| 14. | Henning Haaland (ATT) | 6 | |