First Friendly Game

By: wan | July 23rd, 2009

There are some who claim that humans are motivated more by scents than by sights and in a way, I tend to agree with them. Just like how the smell of freshly baked bread reminds me of the start of a brand new day, so too will freshly cut grass remind me of the new season.

And for Real Betis, the start of pre-season training and friendly games signal a new beginning and hopefully one that erases the pain and black stains of the previous season. Of course the impact of relegation is still hanging over the club – for example, the team was missing some players through injuries while Emana was absent without permission seemingly in an effort to force a move to a bigger club. However even taking into account these distractions, once the referee blows the whistle, nothing else matters but the game on the field.

This game against Atletico Sanluqueno wasn’t supposed to do much other than provide the players with a good run out but there were still positives that could be drawn from this friendly. Tapia started the game with a seemingly 4-5-1 formation with two defensive midfielders shielding the defense and the two players on the wings breaking forward to support the main striker. The line-up for those interested was as follows: Goitia; Ilic, Melli, Rivas, Vega; Arzu, Sunny; Odonkor, Rodri, Xisco; Pavone – with Odonkor and Xisco given the task to move up alongside Pavone to add more attacking threat when the team has the ball.

Betis took the lead through Pavone and predictably in a friendly, Tapia made wholesale changes to his side in the second half, sending out the likes of Adrain; Oscar Lopez, Carlos Garcia, Nano, Ruben Cruz; Lima, Juande; Juanma, Sergio Garcia, Damian; Manu Gavilan in the same formation. Further goals from Damian and Manu Gavilan in the second half allowed Betis to run out comfortable 3-0 winners.

It is really to early to read anything into this performance but in particular there were several standout performances. Odonkor surprisingly was the most impressive, often threatening the opposition with his running and effort. Sergio Garcia showed his class as well but the most heartening sight could be the blossoming of Manu Gavilan. Once a target of Liverpool, Gavilan showed composure and class in a limited performance that was crowned with a debut goal.

A lot is expected of him and if Tapia really drafts him into this first team squad, we can expect more fireworks from a talented player who has the potential to become the next Betis idol, following in the footsteps of Gordillo and Joaquim.

Stay tuned for more pre-season reports and impressions…