Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid (Vinícius Júnior). Not this year… This is my immediate reaction. Coming up: Low player ratings, awkward interviews and a podcast with myself and Kiyan.
A handful of unexciting affairs, Clásico aside, remained until a dire season was done – and a trip to Real Betis represented a fresh opportunity for embarrassment. After midweek talk regarding youth players, it was interesting to see Thiago Pitarch slot straight back into the line-up out of nowhere. Make of that what you will.
The rest of the line-up was as expected – with UEFA Youth League hero Javier Navarro amongst a youthful bench. Álvaro Fidalgo, Isco and Diego Llorente were present for the home side. Fede Valverde was captain.
This is one of the rare one-paragraph games, after a dry first half that saw Vinícius Júnior score from a rebound, and Andriy Lunin save the half with three great saves late on. Real Betis had a few openings in the second half, and despite the lack of competitiveness, managed to find that leveller in added time through Héctor Bellerín. Full-time, 1-1 – and one step closer to the season’s end.
