Real Betis – Real Madrid: Real’s Lack Of Control Results In Chaotic And Open Match (2-1)

Almost mirroring each other’s defensive issues in midfield, Betis’ more focused and stable structure allowed them to carve through their opponents with much more ease. Comparatively, the away side's play beyond the flanks paled in comparison to the home side’s, who had far stronger connections, enabling them to work the ball from side-to-side much more successfully. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly. 

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Real Betis have finally had things go their way in recent times. Despite three consecutive clean sheets and two wins at the Santiago Bernabéu, their home matches against Madrid have been the complete opposite: goal-filled defeats. 

In their hope to reverse that and climb closer to the top half of the table, head coach Rubi named a very similar eleven to the 4-3-3 system that lost 2-1 to Valencia last weekend. In came Marc Bartra for Aïssa Mandi in the center of defense, as well as Loren Morón for Borja Iglesias up front, who came on and scored Betis’ stoppage time consolation in that match.

On a contrasting note, Zinédine Zidane’s Madrid came into this off the back of a huge Clásico victory, seeing them, before this matchday, rise to the top of the table in Spain. Now having seen Barcelona squeeze past Real Sociedad, the pressure was on them to live up to their prior performance here, and not lead their small lead slip.

Three changes were made to their 4-3 . . .