Betis in the UEFA Cup (R)

Discussion in 'Andalucia' started by Pichi, Dec 16, 2005.

  1. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Well looks like Er Glorioso has their work cut out for them. They will face AZ Alkmaar who are the current Dutch Erie Division leaders with 35 points in the upcoming round of the UEFA Cup. Betis will be at home for the 15 February match then in Holland on the 23rd. The winner of this match will then be paired with the winner of the Heerenveen (NL) versus Steau Bucharest (RO) in the round of 16.

    Viva Er Beti Manque Lopera!

    Er Pichi
     
  2. AFCA

    AFCA Member

    Jul 16, 2002
    X X X rated
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran
    Any thoughts on this game?
     
  3. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    I would be happy with a one goal victory 1-0 versus a 2-1 victory and try to hold AZ to a tie on the return leg.

    Viva Er Beti

    Er Pichi
     
  4. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Got this off the UEFA website:


    Viva Er Beti

    Er Pichi



    AZ urged to show more steel
    Wednesday, 15 February 2006



    AZ Alkmaar coach Louis van Gaal has warned his players they must show greater maturity if they are to emulate the more illustrious Dutch Eredivisie teams and make the transition from brave battlers to trophy winners.

    Betis date
    Unbeaten in 2006, AZ travel to Spain to take on Real Betis Balompié in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday night and although their last European defeat came in the first-round first leg against Russian opponents FC Krylya Sovetov Samara in September, Van Gaal is still calling for more consistency.

    Encouraging signs
    The former Netherlands, FC Barcelona and AFC Ajax boss knows what it takes to build a successful side and sees much to encourage him as he tries to inspire AZ to another great UEFA Cup adventure and bridge the gap between Alkmaar and the bigger names of Dutch football.

    Mental toughness
    Van Gaal, 54, said: "We often win matches more easily than PSV [Eindhoven] or Feyenoord, but we also lose matches in between, while PSV always win. That is what it is all about. PSV have more patience, are more adult and mentally stronger."

    Great expectations
    AZ, who last year reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals only to lose to Sporting Clube de Portugal in extra time, went second in the Eredivisie behind PSV last weekend with a 1-0 victory at Sparta Rotterdam, courtesy of a last-gasp Kenneth Perez goal. With Feyenoord being held to a draw by NAC Breda, AZ replaced the Rotterdam club as PSV's closest challengers, albeit five points short of the leaders.

    Triple blow
    Under Van Gaal, AZ have built well on the foundations laid by last season's coach Co Adriaanse, when they challenged for honours on three fronts only to drop away as the campaign neared its climax.

    Hot shot Shota
    AZ have won the Dutch title once in 1981, when they were also UEFA Cup finalists - beaten 5-4 on aggregate by Ipswich Town FC. This year they top at least one rankings' list, with striker Shota Arveladze scoring two recent hat-tricks to make him the Netherlands' leading scorer with 20 Eredivisie goals.

    Betis beware
    Dealing with Arveladze's considerable threat will be a priority for Betis coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer in Wednesday's home leg, as the Seville side seek to deny AZ an away goal while looking for openings for new attacking recruits Roberto and Diego Tardelli.
     
  5. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Another UEFA article with a Betis slant:

    Viva Er Beti

    Er Pichi


    Betis hope for change in fortunes
    Tuesday, 14 February 2006


    Real Betis Balompié striker Dani Martín believes a positive performance against AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 could have a lasting impact on the Spanish side. Betis are battling against relegation in the Primera División, and the resumption of their European campaign comes as a welcome break from the difficulties they are experiencing on the domestic front.

    'Build morale'
    "Our main priority is to do well in the league, but now we have to forget about our next league match and concentrate on AZ. In any case the best thing that could happen to us is to beat AZ to build morale for the league," he said. Betis lost to RC Deportivo La Coruña at the weekend and things have not got any easier for coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer who will be without the injured Marcos Assunçao and Capi as well as long-term absentees Miguel Ángel Lozano and Ricardo Oliveira.

    AZ buoyant
    In contrast AZ, UEFA Cup semi-finalists last season, are riding high in the Eredivisie after Saturday's win against Sparta Rotterdam. Striker Shota Arveladze has been in outstanding form and not even the sale of Dutch international defender Ron Vlaar has upset their rhythm. Former FC Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal has no fresh injury concerns and is relishing his return to Spain.

    "Maybe our advantage is that our squad is in good spirits going into this match"Louis van Gaal

    'Difficult task'
    "I know our opponents well and it will be a difficult task; I think our chances are about 50 per cent," he said. "Maybe our advantage is that our squad is in good spirits going into this match, while Betis lost at the weekend and are involved in a relegation battle. In Spain the league is more important than the UEFA Cup or even the [UEFA] Champions League, so avoiding relegation is maybe more important to them. But don't be mistaken, in Spain any team can beat any other."
     
  6. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    0-0 at the half with Edu 3' missing a sure goal and Dani missing 2 chances later in the first half


    Er Pichi
     
  7. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    2-0 with both Tardelli and Robert scoring in the 70 and 79th minute. It would have been a Brazilian Tri-fecta if Edu's shot in the second half wouldn't have found the post.

    Not a bad margin heading to NL, considering that against Monaco in the CL elimination stage they had a 1-0 lead and got past Monaco.

    viva er beti

    Er Pichi
     
  8. AFCA

    AFCA Member

    Jul 16, 2002
    X X X rated
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran
    congratulations.

    I'm a bit dissapointed in AZ... gave away an unnecessary goal in a very amateurish style and failed to take the game to Betis in the 2nd half when they were given the chance.

    But Betis definitely have some quality walking around.
     
  9. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Here is the match report from yesterday via Soccernet.

    Viva Er Beti

    Er Pichi



    Real Betis 2-0 AZ Alkmaar

    SEVILLE, February 15 (UEFA Cup) - Real Betis scored two second-half goals to take command in their Round of 32 UEFA Cup tie with AZ Alkmaar.

    Louis van Gaal's side were holding their own in the first-leg match until substitute Diego Tardelli opened the scoring for the home team with 20 minutes to play.

    The second goal from Robert De Pinho leaves the Dutch side with a lot to do in the return leg at Alkmaar but the Spanish outfit deserved their win and did most of the attacking.

    The first real attempt on goal came from Edu who fired just wide from 18 yards in the third minute.

    Next Arturo Garcia Arzu headed over but then AZ slowly started to piece their game together.

    Barry van Galen's 12-yard effort missed to the left but at the other end Henk Timmer did well to hold on to a shot from Juan Andreu Melli.

    Timmer saved again from a header by Juanito Gutierrez.

    Betis goalkeeper Pedro Contreras was called into action two minutes before the interval when he parried a shot from Demy De Zeeuw on the edge of the box.

    The Andalusians made the better start to the second half and Fernando Varela headed over from the centre of the penalty area.

    Edu had another crack at the AZ goal but once again his aim was wayward and the scoreline remained deadlocked.

    Chances were few and far between and both coaches made changes with Van Galen replaced by Stein Huysegems and Diego Tardelli coming on for Dani Martin.

    Tardelli did not take long in making an impact and scored when he collected a pass from Joaquin and fired low into the centre of the goal.

    Nine minutes later it was 2-0 as Robert netted from 12 yards only to be almost immediately substituted.

    There was still time for Edu to spurn the chance of a third as the Spanish club looked to press home its advantage.
     
  10. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Betis through to final 16!! :D

    Here is the match report:

    Er Pichi



    AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Real Betis
    PA

    ALKMAAR, February 23 (UEFA Cup) - An extra-time sucker punch from Real Betis stunned AZ Alkmaar as the Spanish side triumphed 3-2 on aggregate to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.

    Defender Juan Andreu Melli's strike in the extended period was enough to see Betis through after their Dutch hosts had clawed back a 2-0 first-leg deficit at the Alkmaarderhout through goals from Shota Arveladze and Kew Jaliens.

    AZ were awarded a penalty after only four minutes after Betis' Juanito handled inside the area from a corner, but midfielder Denny Landzaat blasted the spot-kick wide of the left post.

    The Primera Liga side struck back, with AZ goalkeeper Henk Timmer turning a 20-yard Fernando Varela free-kick round the post on seven minutes.

    In a scrappy opening spell, AZ's Barry Opdam was booked for a foul on Betis' Edu, while goalkeeper Pedro Contreras was yellow-carded for the Spaniards for time-wasting.

    But the Dutch side took the lead on 25 minutes, Georgia international Arveladze collecting a pass from Kenneth Perez and firing home a left-foot shot from 12 yards.

    This provided the spur for AZ to level the scores at 2-2 on aggregate 11 minutes before the break.

    Perez was again the provider, sending over a free-kick from the right for defender Jaliens to find the net with a low 12-yard strike.

    Into the second half, and Betis came close to regaining the aggregate lead on 57 minutes when Jesus Capi's 18-yard shot hit the post.

    AZ forward Tarik Sektioui put a 12-yard shot past the post on 69 minutes, and went close two minutes later with a strike which Contreras saved well.

    Betis substitute Alberto Rivera put a shot wide from inside the area on 82 minutes so the match went into added time.

    But three minutes into extra time, Betis stunned the hosts with a precious away goal.

    AZ's Denny Landzaat fouled Robert out on the left wing and from Joaquin's free-kick, Melli steered a right-foot shot home from only six yards.

    That strike put Lorenzo Serra Ferrer's side firmly in the driving seat with AZ needing two more goals to go through.

    Substitute Danny Koevermans put a shot wide from inside the box for AZ on 115 minutes and Perez had another effort saved three minutes later as the hosts fought to stay in the competition.

    Defender Tim De Cler compounded AZ's disappointment with a red card for a second bookable offence in stoppage time and Betis celebrated a narrow victory at the final whistle.
     
  11. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Betis will be facing Steau of Bucharest in the round of 16 based on the draw today. The two legs will be played on 9 and 16 March with the first match being played in Bucharest.

    viva Er Beti

    Er Pichi
     
  12. Robdog

    Robdog Member+

    Oct 20, 2002
    Rancho Cordova, Cali
    Re: Expect a tuff time Bucharest

    Quotes from an preview that I read about the match.

    Steaua Bucharest are set to be roared on again by a capacity 42,000 crowd for the visit of Real Betis to the Lia Manoliu stadium, their temporary home while their own pitch is re-laid. Central defenders Sorin Ghionea and Dorin Goian have recovered from injury.

    Man, it looks like it will be crazy for Betis. I would be kewl w/ a one goal loss. Any other wishes before this match???
     
  13. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Re: Expect a tuff time Bucharest

    A one to one tie or a one goal victory for Betis would be just fine as would a Sevilla loss to Lille by 3 or 4 goals!:p

    viva er beti

    Er Pichi
     
  14. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Half time in Bucharest:

    Steau 0 Er Glorioso 0

    Viva Er Beti

    Er Pichi
     
  15. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Final Score from frozen Bucharest:

    Steau 0 Er Glorioso 0

    A tie is a great result although a 1-1 tie or a victory would have been better, so it looks like it will come down to next weeks match in the Villamarin to see if Er Glorioso will make the QF's for the first time in the UEFA Cup. Good news from France with 28 minutes remaining Lille 1 ************ FC 0.

    viva er beti

    Er Pichi
     
  16. Robdog

    Robdog Member+

    Oct 20, 2002
    Rancho Cordova, Cali
    I don't know about you foolz, but I am totally hyped up for the match vs. FC Steaua Bucuresti. Here is a pre-match article from www.UEFA.com.
    Arriba Betis
     
  17. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Got this from SoccerNet.

    viva er beti

    Er Pichi



    Real Betis v Steaua Bucuresti: Preview


    SEVILLE, March 15 (UEFA Cup) - Real Betis coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer has told his players that they will have to exercise patience if they are to see off the challenge of Steaua Bucharest in the second leg of their UEFA Cup round of 16 clash.

    The Primera Liga strugglers turned in a good performance in the first leg in Bucharest a week ago, managing a goalless draw in front of Steaua's heavily partisan home support.

    ``After the result in Bucharest we must not go out desperately looking for a goal,'' said Ferrer.

    ``We have to play our usual football and wait for the chances to come.''

    The Andalusians' good form in Europe has been in stark contrast to their domestic performances, which have been poor enough to land last season's Champions League qualifiers in the Primera Liga relegation zone.

    ``We need to go out and remain concentrated for the full match,'' Ferrer continued.

    ``Steaua are a side which have experience and I am sure that they will have the same desire as we have to get through to the next round.

    ``I do not think that they are going to come here to press in attack. They will stay back and have the plan to surprise us on the counter-attack.''

    Ferrer has a few personnel concerns ahead of the clash, with Capi (thigh), Alejandro Lembo (ankle), Paolo Castellini (thigh) and Marcos Assuncao (shoulder) all expected to miss out, but Miguel Angel is expected to return after sitting out the first leg with a knee injury.

    Steaua, meanwhile, will be buoyed by the knowledge that scoring an away goal would be a huge advantage against a Betis side struggling to find the back of the net this season.

    But confidence is anything but high in the Romanian camp following last weekend's disappointing home draw with bottom side Vaslui in the Romanian first division.

    However, Steaua do at least have a fully fit squad to choose from for the clash at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium, and club owner Gigi Becali is confident his side can progress to the quarter-finals.

    ``We have not scored many goals this year because we have had bad luck but I am not worried about the match in Sevilla. We'll go through,'' he said.
     
  18. Qdog

    Qdog Member

    May 8, 2002
    Andalusia
    Club:
    Sevilla FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  19. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Looks like the fans (what was left after the second Steaua goal) had a field day with the players and everyones favorite Presi Don Manuel who has not been the in Presidents Box since the Anderlecht debacle in December when the fans let him know what they thought about him. 15K out of 49K in what was one of the more important games in the history of the team is a sham, then when Arzu was substituted the fans let him have it based on his comments last week and he responded with applause for the fans and from then on it got only worse.

    What was coming for a long time and was obvious as of 6-7 weeks ago and after Sundays tie to lowly Malaga finally occurred and that was total divorce of these fans and their support for Don Manuel and the players. As of now the only one who is still in their favor is Don Lorenzo Serra Ferrer and depending on what happens these next few weeks if he doesn't play his hand correctly he too will be on their list. From what most said if there were 7-8K fans in the stands by the final whistle that was a lot. The Romanians received large applause where as the Betis players caught a seasons worth of frustrations as they left the pitch which carried out into the streets and they heard if when they left the underground garage for their homes over an hour after the match.

    All I can say that it's about time some of these folks wake up and see what those of us who follow the team from afar have seen all along, that Lopera needs to cash in his stock shares and get the hell out of dodge and take with him most of the players too!


    Viva Er Beti y Fraude Presidencial!!

    Er Pichi
     
  20. Qdog

    Qdog Member

    May 8, 2002
    Andalusia
    Club:
    Sevilla FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    First you need to get rid of Ferrer, who'l leading your team down this wasteland.

    Hey, I have an idea. How about getting Lopera to sell out to Pieterman, so you can take care of your coaching and ownership problems in one move. :D
     
  21. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Serra Ferrer is not the problem, if he should be criticized for anything it was for not standing up to Don Manuel when the Presi brought players who really have no spot on the Betis team. Serra Ferrer knew that with 3 competitions going on that Betis needed a decent bench and these replacements have not done the trick, especially with the killer injuries to Miguel Angel, Oliveira, Assuncao, Fernando, etc etc.

    viva er beti

    Er Pichi
     
  22. Robdog

    Robdog Member+

    Oct 20, 2002
    Rancho Cordova, Cali
    I know I saw a lot of people (Playas & fans alike) totally distraught on what happened. For us Betis fans, this was the worse possible ending for an Euro competition. To get bounced out at home like that. Man, I don't have anything to say. I will just sit in my backyard smoke that cigar & think back to when Betis beat Chelsea. That will be the highlight of this season. [​IMG]
     
  23. Qdog

    Qdog Member

    May 8, 2002
    Andalusia
    Club:
    Sevilla FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm not sure Ferrer being the problem has anything to do with it. My guess is the only reason he hasn't been sacked already is because Lopera has to pay him anyway and changing coaches now could hurt the possible sale of the team. Besides, I think Pieterman and los Beticos are a perfect fit.:D
     
  24. Qdog

    Qdog Member

    May 8, 2002
    Andalusia
    Club:
    Sevilla FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Depending on what goes on for the next 11 jornadas, it could be the highlight for next season too.:eek:
     

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