Real Betis – Villarreal: Aggression, Rotation, Control: Betis’ Blueprint to Defeat Villarreal (2-0)

Real Betis wants Champions League football next season, and a 2–0 victory over Villarreal, not only delivered three crucial points but also reinforced the feeling that Pellegrini’s side is growing at the right moment. Let's understand how they beat a direct opponent. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Sebastián Parreño.

Although Betis remain nine points behind the Yellow Submarine, the gap has been reduced, and the same margin now separates them from Espanyol in the race for fifth place. Ant these sides not only have similarities on the table, but also on the pitch. Both sides began the match in a 4-4-2 out of possession, but with very different intentions. Betis set up with Álvaro Valles in goal, Aitor Ruibal and Valentín Gómez as full-backs, Marc Bartra and Natan as center-backs, and a midfield pairing of Sergi Altimira and Marc Roca. Antony started on the right, Giovani Lo Celso on the left, while Pablo Fornals partnered Chimy Ávila up front. Villarreal mirrored the shape, with Luiz Júnior in goal, Pedraza and Pau Navarro as full-backs, Juan Foyth and Renato Veiga centrally, Parejo and Comesaña in midfield, Moleiro and Buchanan wide, and Mikautadze alongside Gerard Moreno.

Villarreal spent most of the game in a compact 4-4-2 mid-block, characterized by two narrow and tightly packed lines of four. The purpose of this structure was clear: deny access to the central zones, congest the middle of the pitch, and force Betis toward the flanks, where attacks could be more easily anticipated and controlled. Their pressing was selective rather than constant, with the forwards only stepping . . .