Football Season Guide

Real Betis took another step forward last season, in what was Manuel Pellegrini’s second year in charge. They finished fifth in the league, just five points off fourth place, and they also won the Copa del Rey, ending a 17-year trophy drought. They did so by playing good football, with their 4-2-3-1 system providing balance and a solid structure for the attacking talents of Sergio Canales, Nabil Fekir, Juanmi and Borja Iglesias to flourish. Having had such a successful campaign last year, the priority in the Real Betis boardroom this summer was to keep the squad together. They have largely managed to do that. The only departure who wasn’t a fringe player was that of starting right-back Hector Bellerin, who returned to Arsenal. But, Real Betis will either re-sign him or bring in a replacement at right-back. With largely the same squad and with the same veteran coach in the dugout, more of the same should be expected from Real Betis. They were very dangerous in attack last year and also controlled games well with their possession-based play. If there’s one area where there’s room for improvement, it’s in the defence as their 40 goals conceded in 38 games was only the seventh-best record in the division. If they want to make the top four, they’ll need to concede fewer goals this term.