Matchday Musings: Sunderland narrowly lose to Real Betis but display promise

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It’s been eighty one days since the Stadium of Light opened its gates for thousands to preside over a game of professional football.

Under regimes past, cobwebs would’ve been found in every nook and cranny, shrubbery would’ve made itself at home in the concourse and gangways, and patches of mould and moss would be seen occupying the stadium’s inner perimeter.

Oh, how times have changed.

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Pre-match social media communications from the club exhibited our home in all its newly-refurbished glory. From the brilliantly

designed murals, the renovated tunnel and dressing rooms to the self-serving beer stands and newly renamed Jimmy Montgomery Stand, it’s not just the squad that’s undergone a Premier League makeover.

Ever since Dan Ballard’s header nestled into the back of Coventry’s net and the spirits of the former Monkwearmouth Colliery were alerted to our cheers by the rattling foundations, we’ve won the so-called ‘richest game in football’ and spent over £100 million on new players.

It’s been a whirlwind and following the signings of Granit Xhaka and Robin Roefs, optimism around the new season has grown even further as Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Kristjaan Speakman and Florent Ghisolfi continue to demonstrate their intent in the transfer market and in turn, our aspirations for the season ahead.

Whilst our two outings against Hearts and Hull City ended in disappointment, like most pre-season games, they revealed little about a squad still familiarizing themselves with each other and acclimatising to the demands of Régis Le Bris and his coaching team.

With Europa Conference League runners up Real Betis in town, our preparations for the new season were ramping up — in terms of intensity and calibre of opposition. The Spaniards finished sixth in La Liga last term, and were looking to build on a season that saw the club reach its first ever European final.

As expected, Xhaka made his debut with Roefs also featuring in goal during his first game for the club. With the sun beaming down on Wearside, the stadium had not only become a symbol of pride over the summer, but was for once staying true to its name.

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The side we fielded resembled mostly that of the starting eleven at the MKM Stadium on Tuesday — with the exception of the aforementioned recruits and the inclusion of Reinildo, who started the game at centre half.

The opening exchanges were largely uneventful and naturally, there was a real ‘training exercise’ feel to the encounter. Betis went close with a header off the woodwork, but we were swift and efficient in the press and kept Los Verdiblancos at arm’s length.

We looked solid and confident in possession, with our midfield knocking it around nicely and making use of the much-coveted triangles that have become so characteristic of Le Bris’ style.

We were also getting to the byline and fashioning several half-chances via cutbacks and were luring Betis out offensively. The Lads also looked assured in the transition and threatening on the break, with the passivity that lingered in Edinburgh last weekend having certainly been stamped out.

The second half saw more of the same.

We asserted ourselves in a possession and positional sense, restricting Betis, who were forced to be patient in their buildup play, and ten minutes into the half, Simon Adingra had the ball in the back of the net.

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It was adjudged to have been offside and on closer inspection, it was the right call. Harrison Jones was having another tidy game at left back, and Roefs had little to do in goal thanks to our defensive solidity.

Unfortunately, lapses in concentration against this level of opponent are punishable by goals, and an inswinging Betis cross met the head of Aitor Ruibal, who guided the ball into the back of the net to put the visitors a goal up.

For the remainder of the game, we didn’t look like scoring aside from a tempting Jones ball across the six-yard box, which was begging to be met by any Sunderland boot.

Ending in a 0-1 defeat, it was a frustrating afternoon for us, but one that we can take heart from.

Although pre-season lays the groundwork for the campaign in front of us, I’ve never been one to be overly critical or get carried away. It’s simply more minutes in the tank, and more experience for our gelling squad.

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