Have Real Betis improved?
A lot. Real Betis finished a lowly 15th in La Liga at the end of the last campaign. Los Verdiblancos were just 5 points clear of the relegation zone and had a goal difference of -12.
The season was a disaster. Betis won just 10 games, lost 17, and were hanging by the thread when the last gameweek concluded. This led to the club firing manager Rubi in June 2020, just over a year after he was appointed.
Interim manager Alexis Trujilo took over the team for a month and then, the club made the decision to appoint former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean last managed West Ham United in the Premier League.
How Pellegrini is steadying the ship
Pellegrini was in charge of the first La Liga game Betis played this season. With a fresh start and a transfer window where he could get in some players, he was ready for the task ahead. And the players seem to have responded very well.
Improving the numbers that matter
Betis have 37 points after 25 league games, just two less (39) than what they had scored for the whole of last season (41). Hence, Betis’ points-per-game has increased significantly from 1.07 to 1.56 this season.
In comparison, they also already have more wins (12) as compared to the 2019/20 season (10). While the combined 9 goals conceded against Barcelona (5) and Athletic Bilbao (4) in November 2020 has skewed the statistic a bit, they are still conceding less than last season.
Betis’ goals conceded per game has gone down to 1.52 from 1.58 last season. While this is not the biggest improvement, it is still a step in the right direction. This statistic should be supplemented by the fact that Betis have 9 clean sheets this season so far, compared to 6 in the whole of last season.
They are doing slightly better in the scoring department. Betis have scored in 80% of their league matches this season, compared to 73% matches last season. The margins of their victories have often been slim, but they still have more goals per game this season (1.32) as compared to last campaign (1.26).
Seeing out results
Betis are also doing a great job at seeing out wins with just a 1-goal lead. 7 of their 12 wins this season have been with a 1-goal lead. This trait is most evident in their two most recent La Liga games.
Betis won by a 1-0 scoreline against both Cadiz and Getafe, and in both games, they kept more than 64% possession. This is good because more of the ball means a lesser chance for the opposition to score.
Not feeling the brunt of the transfer window
Pellegrini did well in the sense that every major Betis player from last season did not leave the club. Star players Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales are still at the club and have continued to impress this season.
On top of this, he made shrewd signings on a shoestring budget. Betis did not spend on any player last summer, but Pellegrini still got in experienced goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and veteran centre-back Victor Ruiz for free.
Juan Miranda was signed from FC Barcelona and he has become an integral part of the team this season along with Bravo (when fit) and Ruiz. Bravo has an impressive trophy cabinet and his experience would be vital in the training ground for someone like Joel Robles.
An identity on the pitch with a settled formation
Betis were trying too many things last season with their formation. The club tried out formations with three defenders at the back and also switched between 4-4-2, 4-3-3, and 4-2-3-1. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Pellegrini has put a stop to that as he has adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation on almost all occasions this season. Obviously, players playing in a settled system would know their roles, and it can become easier for the team to play on the same wavelength and have better chemistry. It’s possible that Betis are benefiting from this.
Verdict
Pellegrini is a man who has focused on results more than anything this season. It is evident in the approach Betis have been taking to games, especially recently. His quotes after the win against Cadiz this year sums up what Betis look to do in games.
“I think our focus on defence was the key. We were not careless while we were looking attack for different options throughout the 90 minutes. We knew that, at some moment, we were going to have one [chance] as long as we wouldn’t concede a goal.”
This approach to games has really helped Betis and the results are evident. They are 6th in the La Liga table (at the time of writing) and will qualify for the UEFA Europa League if they maintain this position at the end of the season.
It is certainly commendable work on the part of Pellegrini to get Betis to where they are. He has inherited a squad that finished 15th last season, and without spending money, he has taken that team up to European spots. He may have won a few important titles, but if he manages to help Betis finish 6th, it would surely be one of his finest achievements.
(PS: This article was written before Real Betis beat Deportivo Alaves 3-2 on 8th March 2021)
