A balompie ride to the top - João Lucas de Souza Cardoso (Johnny) at Real Betis

Played 70 minutes of a 1-0 loss. Red card / penalty in the 52nd minute put them behind the eight ball.

 

They're up 1-0, with Johnny as the right-side defensive midfielder in a 4-2-3-1.

 

Big penalty box tackle by Johnny in the 69th, and even earns the goal kick on the play. Attacker had roundded the corner down the wing and he had to chase it down covering for the right back.

 

A second important tackle in the defensive corner from Johnny.

 

Fifth sub is on - Johnny is going 90.

 

Thanks for all of the updates. Sounds like he is playing very well today.

 

Equalizer for Brigantino 95th minute, yuck. Johnny was closing on the guy with the hockey assist, but really didn't have time to get there. Played the whole second half conservatively, yuck.

 

Very depressing ending, letting up the late equalizer. Mostly good offense, Saravia to blame, if anyone. Johnny had a few big defensive moments, but very little playmaking, not that he was really asked to do so.

 

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Seems like a pretty good 6.

 

I love how they list him as "johnny"

 

Johnny, pushing forward more often than normal, has had a couple of looks at crosses to create an equalizer while down 1-0. He's been solid if not a standout.

 

Good news US fans, after a subsitution in the 82nd minute, Johnny moves to ... right back. Thank goodness he can get some minutes there.

 

Nice sequence for Johnny at the 6 minute mark of these highlights. He wins the ball, plays a little one-two, then lofts a nice pass on the run into his teammate at the top of the box that leads to the winning goal.