The Master League adventures thread

Atletico Madrid 3-2 Las Palmas

Atletico stave off a spirited Las Palmas fightback to take all three points.


Starting the day without their main fulcrum in Halilovic, forcing Lanzini into a central role, Las Palmas were poor in the early proceedings.

No strangers to conceding an early goal, Las Palmas once again made things difficult for themselves, allowing Atletico to take the lead in only the 2nd minute. Juanfran’s early pinpoint cross from deep on the right hand side was lapped up by Yannick Carrasco, controlling first time and finishing near the penalty spot.

Former Las Palmas favourite Vitolo got in behind the backline in the 23rd minute to add a second. The 29 year old saw his initial shot hit the post from only six yards but the ball fell kindly to the winger and he made no mistake with the second attempt. It was a lovely dinked pass into Vitolo from Koke to set up the goal.

To pile on the misery Vitolo turned provider in the 32nd minute, bending a low pass beyond the Las Palmas backline from the right wing, straight to the boot of Gameiro who finished with aplomb at the back post. My oh my, Las Palmas all over the place defensively!

Seemingly dead and buried, the yellow jerseys of Las Palmas came out fighting in the second half, ensuring Atletico would not claim the points without a struggle.

Buckling under the high press, Juanfran gifted Sansone the ball with a poor back pass in minute. The Italian strode forward, towards the edge of the 18 yard box, and curled the ball expertly into the top right hand corner, with Oblak well beaten. A spark of hope for Las Palmas.

For the third time in two games Riyad Mahrez’s dead ball delivery found its mark in the 85th, with the ball falling kindly at the feet of Lanzini for an easy finish. The Argentinian’s goal sent a wave of silence washing over the crowd at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, ensuring a nervy last five minutes ensued for the home side.

Atletico held out for the win and Mendieta’s boys hopped back on a plane to Gran Canaria thinking what might have been.
 
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I started a master league on psp pes 2012, which has ps2 gameplay. I decided to create the team randomly, the result is below:

AS Capricorn:

Goalkeepers:
Stekelenburg
Doni
Mulder

Defenders:
Zago
P. Anderson
J. Kappelhof
Mané
Foly
Rivas
Bornstein
M. Lucena
Leandro Almeida

Midfielders:
Ahman-Persson
Yuan Tan
S. Kerkar
Richards
M. De Leeuw
J. Gavilán
R. Leeuwin

Forwards:
Brienza
Palladino
H. Giménez
Rebrov
Mounier
Bugner
C. McManaman
Gülner

Some well known name here, especially Rebrov and Stekelenburg. I'll likely play in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Maybe i will do a few transfers before the beginning of the season. Budget is tight though.

Amazing how deep the master league is in this game. It really looks like pes 2010's master league, which was the best by far. It has sponsors, Staff management (scout, coach), fan club management, pre-season training, condition players, etc...
 
Results:

OGC Nice-AS Capricorn 3-0
AS Capricorn-PSG 0-0
Bordeaux-AS Capricorn 0-2 (Brienza 2x)
AS Capricorn-Stade Rennais 5-4 (P. Anderson, Brienza, M. De Leeuw 2x, Rebrov)

Current standing : 7th of Ligue 1

Transfers:
In: El Hany, Zarour, Manfredini, Lippini
Out: H. Giménez (Loan), Foly, M. Lucena, Kappelhof

I had a tough start at Nice. They destroyed me. Seems like the pre-season exhausted the players. After that, we hold on that draw against Paris, thanks to Doni heroics in goal. We then won two in a row, with a last end-to-end game which we were behind two times to come back finally (0-2 & 2-3). Brienza is really the outstanding player, great speed and agility and a flair for goal. I'm disappointed about Rebrov though, i thought he would be my main man, but he struggled until now, scoring only one mouth scramble goal. He had bad arrows though so we'll see.
 
Las Palmas 0-2 Celta Vigo

Celta Vigo continue to be Mendieta’s bogey side.

Bigas started at centre back over upamecano, who’d been looking particularly tired recently.

Las Palmas went 1-0 down to yet another early strike in the 7th minute. Bernardoni will want to have a long hard look in the mirror with this one. A powerful Iago Aspas low drive beat the keeper at his near post, which maybe he could’ve saved.

Three minutes before half time Hjulsager poked past bernardoni from 6 yards after Iwobi had outmuscled Lemos down the left and centred the ball to the young Danish midfielder. A swift punishing counter from Celta after Las Palmas had been dominating their opponents.

Lanzini and Halilovic were both guilty of wasting good opportunities failing to hit the target when well placed. Misses that cost Las Palmas at least a point against a good Celta Vigo outfit.



Real Sociedad 2-2 Las Palmas

Mahrez double salvages a draw for Las Palmas.

Halilovic and Bernardoni both sat out this one due to poor form in training. chichizola and Viera stepped in to replace them, and Passlack began at right back for his second start of the season.

For the second successive match Las Palmas conceded in the 7th minute. Willian Jose received a through ball from Ruben Pardo and the forward showed Upamecano a clean set of heels before smashing the ball straight down the middle of the goal.

Las Palmas captain Linetty was having none of it! The Polish skipper led by example, charging forward and battering his way through the Sociedad defense. Linetty’s persistence paid off, with the loose ball been lapped up by his Algerian team mate Mahrez, coming in from the left hand side of the box and striking low past the keeper with outside of his left boot.

However, all Linetty’s effort was undone only ten minutes later when Mikel Oyarzabel regained the lead for his side. Passlack’s poor defensive header fell straight to the prolific winger 8 yards out from goal and the youngster showed no mercy, snapping a shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

Las Palmas were not to be denied, the substitute Tana once again making a nuisance of himself off the bench for the opposition. The tiny forward Bundled the ball through to Mahrez who popped up again to grab his brace, with a toe poked finish low past Rulli, securing his side an unlikely point.

This Las Palmas side keep making things hard for themselves!
 
Levante 1-1 Las Palmas

Las Palmas cannot buy a win!!!

The yellows really thought they had made the breakthrough when Ruben Neves gave Las Palmas a 72nd minute lead. Coming in off the left touchline, Neves arrowed a stunning 20 yard pile driver into the bottom right corner, giving the Levante keeper no chance. Up until the opener it had been one way traffic with La UD absolutely bossing the game, but missing so many golden chances.

Conceding that goal sparked the home side into life and in the 79th minute Samu snatched the most unlikely of equalisers sending the crowd at the Estadi Ciutat València into full chorus.

Levante had no right in getting the ball into Samu, but somehow Lukic did just that, threading his short cross through the throng and finding the midfielder’s head six yards from goal.

Frustratingly close to a first win in nine for Las Palmas.
 
Transfer deadline day (January)

With Passlack and Mahrez having already arrived early on in the window, the ownes was on the manager to balance the books and try and bring the salary budget into line. Riyad Mahrez, in particular, came in at a heavy financial cost.


OUT

Starved of game time under Mendieta, David Garcia departs the Estadio Gran Canaria for €5.6M. The veteran centre back links up with Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles for one final pay day.

Want away striker Calleri also departs for the Netherlands, joining Vitesse Arnhem on a 3 year contract in a deal worth €10.6M. Apart from a few sporadic appearances, the former West Ham flop never really got a look in under the current regime.

The biggest surprise is the departure of Loic Remy, who will link up with Seria A side Sampdoria. Despite his age (32) the French striker has been an asset to Mendieta’s squad, weighing in with some very important goals, particularly from the bench. However, the offer on the table was a lucrative one. €17.3M to be precise. Too much to turn down for the old boy, and a large chunk of money off the salary budget will please the bean counters at Las Palmas.


IN

Unfortunately, with much regret Mendieta was unable to finalise the deal for his main transfer target. The club did simply not have enough cash reserves to fund the signature of Andre Silva from AC Milan. The two clubs had agreed upon a €20M fee but Silva’s €4M a year contract demands were too astronomical for Las Palmas to match. Sad news for the club in their struggle to push up the table.
 
Las Palmas 0-0 Eibar



Eibar almost snatch victory at the death!

With Ruben Neves unable to participate, Gomez came in for a rare start in La Liga.

Spearheaded by evergreen northern Irish forward Kyle Lafferty, Eibar kept Las Palmas at arms length for most of the match, frustrating the home side at every turn. In fact, had it not been for the sharp reflexes of Bernardoni, Lafferty would’ve edged Eibar in front with a header from six yards out in the 47th minute. The Las Palmas keeper got down super fast to deny Lafferty.

Las Palmas were lucky not to finish the match empty handed, with the woodwork twice coming to the rescue for the Gran Canaria outfit in the final ten minutes.
 
Espanyol 2-0 Las Palmas

More disappointment for the La UD faithful.

One criticism which cannot be aimed at Mendieta’s side is a lack of effort. In there quest to stop the rot Las Palmas pushed forward for that all elusive win, before yet again coming up short with Espanyol snatching victory.

In the 79th minute Diop slipped in Vasquez, who went on to curl the ball past the keeper and into the left corner.

Garcia added insult to injury, doubling the heartache in stoppage time, with a daisy cutter at the near post, having raced away from the Las Palmas backline.
 
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Las Palmas 2-2 Valencia

Zaza to the rescue for Los Che!

Castellano came in today at left back, with Hysaj out of sorts.

Las Palmas came so close to grabbing all the points against Mendieta’s former club! The Las Palmas boss is fighting for his job he caught the opposition (and even his own fans) on the hop today, lining his side up in a 4-4-2 formation for the first time this season. By the evidence of play, it’s just what his side needed. Although, at first, it appeared as though old habits die hard....

Valencia striker Zaza met Parejo’s right wing cross at the near post, beating Bernardoni to the ball with only 6 minutes on the clock. Las Palmas yet again failing to focus early on in the match.

Slowly but surely things started to click for Las Palmas, and the manager’s own Italian striker, Sansone, lobbed the Valencia keeper in the 68th minute from the edge of the area after halilovic had won possession high up the pitch and played him in over the top.

Then, with a quarter of an hour to go, Lanzini rifled in what looked like the winner after good work out on the left. The Argentinian turned Montoya this way and that before cutting inside and sticking an unstoppable shot into the far corner.



Three minutes from time up popped Zaza again to break Mendieta’s heart with an 87th minute equaliser. Controlling Montoya’s little dinked pass the bearded Italian finished clinically past bernardoni with a low strike. Upamecano had been pulled out of position in the build up to the goal.



Granada 1-1 Las Palmas

Las Palmas slow out of the blocks yet again!

This commentator has lost count of how many goals the Gran Canaria club have conceded in the opening 10 minutes of a game. It’s seriously poor on the part of Mendieta’s players. This time it was Jérémy Menez grabbing the early goal for Granada in the 9th minute. The opener stemmed from centre half Lemos poor attempt at a clearance down on the left corner of the box. A silly place to lose it. Menez, formerly of AC Milan received the ball from Pena’s back heel and trickled a low shot in off the near post.

Las Palmas remained patient in their approach play and by the 70th minute they had their equaliser. Loanee full back Hysaj split the defense with a beautiful pass from the left, guiding the ball between three Granada players and into the path of Halilovic’s smart run in behind. The croat finished low and accurately into the bottom right corner giving the goalie no chance.

Another week, another draw!
 
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Sporting Gijon 0-2 Las Palmas

Las Palmas fans rejoice! La UD finally win.

It’s taken 14 games, but Halilovic’s 38th minute half volley from 10 yards, finally set Las Palmas on their way to victory. Lanzini laid on the assist after exchanging passes with his teammate on the edge of Sportings box.

Riyad Mahrez settled the nerves midway through the second half. The Algerian wizard stepped inside his marker and saw his powerful low drive take a wicked deflection off the back of a defender before spinning past the Gijon keeper and into the bottom corner.

The long suffering Las Palmas fans finally have something to shout about and will be hoping the team can kick in after this result.



Las Palmas 1-1 Barcelona

Sansone’s late equaliser the least Las Palmas deserved.

Full of confidence from the victory over Sporting Gijon, La UD took the game to Barcelona and were desperately unlucky not to go in at the break, at the very least, a goal to the good.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with Las Palmas putting on a high end display for the crowd. However, the opener remained elusive and come the 62nd minute Mendieta’s side were sucker punched, going a goal down to a superb volley from Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan produced a moment of magic as Iniesta’s stabbed pass dropped over his shoulder and the former liverpool favourite caressed the ball into bottom corner.

Mahrez’s arrival has brought much directness to Las Palmas play, and it was his run and shot in the 84th minute, following a swift break, that caused Ter Stegen to spill the ball into the path of Sansone. The Italian forward doing the honours and equalising from a few yards.

Great spirit shown by the home side today. Las Palmas remained focused, grabbing a more than deserved point, and giving a good accountant of themselves against La Liga’s big guns.
 
La Liga Standings (8 games remaining)

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No three way battle this year for the title, with Atletico Madrid well off the pace. Barcelona are neck and neck with 2017/18 champions Real Madrid, fighting it out for La Liga with only a point between the pair.

Valencia look like they made an astute decision parting ways with Mendieta at the end of last season. The new man in charge has Los Che flying high in the champion league spots and battling for 3rd.

Eibar are succeeded all expectations sitting in a lofty 7th position in La Liga. Although, only four points separate Eibar from the teams down to Celta Vigo in 11th.

Mendieta needs to swiftly turn around Las Palmas fortunes down in 15th (no easy task) otherwise he will likely find himself out of a job, once again, at the end of the season.
 
Athletic Bilbao 3-1 Las Palmas

Bilbao too strong for Las Palmas.



In the 18th minute Saborit and Andros Townshend linked up effectively on the left flank before the former floated in a cross for Inaki Williams to head past Bernardoni. A real blow to Las Palmas who had been piling the pressure on Bilbao up until that point.

The tide turned after Williams goal as Bilbao stamped their authority on the game with some slick first time passing. Las Palmas buckled under the pressure, giving away a needless foul in the 37th which led to Bilbao’s second. Benat thumped one into the top left corner on the half volley from 20 yards, after his initial free kick had struck the wall.

Williams added a third, and his second of the game, in the 44th minute. The lanky right winger again rising highest in the Las Palmas box, this time glancing in Townshend’s cross from the left.

In a pulsating end to the half, Ruben Neves single handedly gave his side a glimmer of hope by scoring from the resulting kick-off. On a marauding run, Neves linked with Lanzini and Halilovic before the later knocked the ball over the head of the Bilbao centre back Sanchez, and Neves held him off before putting his shot out of the reach of Kepa and into the left of the net.

Las Palmas were, unfortunately, unable to peg Bilbao back after the break and thus ending the Gran Canaria club’s mini four match unbeaten run.
 
Las Palmas 2-1 Sevilla

La UD get back to winning ways after Bilbao blip!

Mendieta had to switch things round this week due to Lanzini’s absence. Sansone shifted out left and the manager deployed Viera in an unfamiliar role as the main man up top.

Viera’s inclusion proved a stroke of genius from Mendieta. The Spaniard took to his new found role like a duck to water, and opened the scoring for his side in the 17th minute from 8 yards. In fairness the praise should be shared with the entire starting eleven, after what was an extremely patient and well worked build up for the goal.

Both sides created chances, in what was a very open end to end match, but Las Palmas always looked the more likely to be next on the scoresheet. And so it was, in the 79th minute, new boy Felix Passlack doubled La UD’s lead in explosive fashion. Coming in off the right touchline at pace, the right fullback rode the challenge of N’Zonzi before rifling in an unstoppable shot off the far post. So much venom in that one!

Pablo Sarabia pulled one back for Sevilla four minutes later from inside the box. Las Palmas once again let down by poor play at the back, as has so often been the case throughout the season. Upamecano had initially done well to disposes Ben yedder but then proceeded to gift possession right back to the French forward with a lazy pass.

Las Palmas didn’t give Sevilla a sniff after conceding, and the struggling La Liga side closed the game out well to gather a well earned three points.

There’s hope yet for Mendieta!


Alaves 2-1 Las Palmas

Las Palmas blow chance to close the gap.

Rewarded for his performance against Sevilla, Viera continued in his new found role, leading the line. Manuel Lanzini came back in the team out on the left with Sansone dropping to the bench (a much needed rest).

Jonathan Viera didn’t disappoint, hitting the back of the net for the second successive game. The reinvigorated forward’s goal was a direct result of Ruben Neves successful pressing in the 13th minute, winning possession high up the pitch and leaving Viera with the simple task of slotting the loose ball under the keeper.

It only took Alaves five minutes to give the home fans something to cheer about, with former premier league regular Robbie Brady coming on off the wing to tap in the rebound from close range after Munir’s initial shot was parried by Bernardoni.

Both Alaves and Las Palmas sparred back and forth until the 80th minute when the most impressive player on the pitch, Munir, heading in the winner. Yet again though, defensive errors cost Las Palmas dearly. It really looked as though Lemos would clear from the corner of the box but somehow the ball found its way to Pina, who laid on the assist for Munir.

Misery for Mendieta at the Mendizorrotza stadium.
 
Leganes 1-0 Las Palmas

Late goals lifts Leganes.

Nordin Amrabat’s late strike sealed a valuable three points in Leganes bid to avoid the drop. The Moroccan’s effort came despite heavy pressure from the visiting side throughout large periods of the match. The former Watford winger curled in from left to right after being given too much freedom in the Las Palmas box.

The inconsistent form for Las Palmas continues with this disappointing away loss to fellow strugglers Leganes.



Las Palmas 1-0 Deportivo La Coruna

Narrow win masks a dominating attacking performance from Las Palmas.

Las Palmas were absolutely relentless today, pegging back Deportivo La Coruna all game. Mendieta’s charges should’ve had a bucket load of goals and would have, if not for the man between the sticks for Depor.

A lovely one touch passing move in the 58th minute resulted in the only goal of the game. Sansone added the finishing touch, toe poking past Tytoń after collecting the ball on a diagonal run from Halilovic’s clever flick.

Las Palmas need to carry the momentum from this positive performance into their next fixture against rock bottom Real Betis.
 
So i decided to start another ML on PES2017 PS4 with Aston Villa.

Here are the highlights from the month of August 2016. The first 4 games are on Professional but the fifth game i notched up to Top Player and with Curdstar’s camera settings. All on Full Manual.

 
Real Betis 2-1 Las Palmas

Rock bottom Betis cause upset!

Las Palmas came up against a more organised Betis side at the Estadio Benito Villamarín than when these two teams last met in the reverse fixture out in Gran Canaria. Despite heavy pressure, Las Palmas were unable to punch a hole through the disciplined rearguard of Los Verdiblancos and Betis themselves were looking increasingly dangerous in the final third towards the end of the first half.

Four minutes into the second half ex-Arsenal Costa Rican Joel Campbell stunned Las Palmas with a truly violent hit from the edge of the 18 yard box. Bernardoni barely had a chance to move, such was the ferocity of Campbell’s strike.

Las Palmas went in search of the equaliser, perhaps too gung ho, and were caught with their pants down conceding a second goal in the 68th minute. Sanabria slipped in Tello through the extremely high La UD defensive line, and the 27 year old winger raced away from the halfway line before expertly chipping the ball over the Las Palmas keeper rushing out to meet him.

Riyad Mahrez pulled a goal back for Las Palmas in the 84th, hitting the roof of the net from an near impossible angle after the Betis goalie had initially saved Neves powerful strike from over on the left hand-side of the penalty box.

Substitute Tana spurned his side’s best opportunity to draw level as the seconds ticked away. The forward guilty of missing a brilliant one on one with the keeper from just six yards out.

Betis still fighting till the last breath!



Las Palmas 2-1 Villarreal

Halilovic spares Bernardoni’s blushes!

Why couldn’t Las Palmas play like this all season? Cohesive attacking play and solid defensively, a real good performance.... barring bernardoni’s glaring lapse of concentration.

Slipped in by Linetty in the 14th minute, Sansone held of his marker and weaved his way past two challenges before beating the keeper with a strong left footed finish from 12 yards.

In a moment of pure madness, Bernardoni gifted Carlos Bacca possibly the easiest goal he will ever score. The young French keeper inexplicably rolled the ball straight to the feet of the Colombian yards out from goal, with options either side!

A nice little flick from the outside of Mahrez’s boot laid the ball up nicely for Halilovic, situated by the penalty spot, to bang in a first time shot on the turn, putting Las Palmas back in front four minutes before the interval.

A good performance, but a bit of a dead rubber match for Las Palmas. Having been mathematically safe from the drop for a couple of weeks now, the Gran Canaria club are playing for pride more than anything, after what has been, a pretty disappointing season under Mendieta.
 
Osasuna 0-1 Las Palmas

Spot kick seals final day victory for La UD.

No place for Halilovic in the starting eleven for the final fixture of the calendar.

Mauricio Lemos 33rd minute penalty was the difference between the two sides today, after Mahrez had been taken out by the keeper, Sergio Herrera, over on the corner of the six yard box. Lemos dispatched the penalty confidently, low and hard down to the keepers right.

Las Palmas created many more chances, with the Osasuna outfield player’s playing like they were already on the beach. Still, the visiting side couldn’t find a way past Herrera for a second time.

With the season now over, the fate of Mendieta is to be decided after a disappointing La Liga campaign for Las Palmas.

More news to follow.......
 
La Liga Final Standings (2018/2019)

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Barcelona snatch the La Liga crown back from 2017/2018 champions Real Madrid. The Catalans pipped their arch rivals at the last with a victory over Real Sociedad on the final day of the season.

Atletico Madrid and Valencia achieve champions league qualification. Atletico mirroring lasts years effort and finishing 3rd again. But what a difference a year makes for Valencia! Having finished 9th under Mendieta, the same group of players have lifted Los Che into a lofty 4th place finish under the new manager.

Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal and Sevilla will all be playing Europa football next season. Sevilla have an excellent pedigree in this competition and will be heavy favourites for the trophy.

Real Betis drop down a division, finishing rock bottom of La Liga. Betis are joined by Osasuna and Sporting Gijon, with Levante avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth.
 
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THE BOOT. . . .
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For the second summer in a row Gaizka Mendieta has been given his marching orders, parting ways with Las Palmas after a disappointing 15th placed finish in La Liga.

Despite heavy spending, Mendieta had failed to satisfy the chairman’s wishes, failing to achieve a top half finish.

What next for Mendieta? . . . .
 

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IN DEMAND

Having not exactly set the world alight thus far in his coaching career, it still seems Gaizka Mendieta is in popular demand.

The former Valencia player’s agent has informed the media that Mendieta is mulling over several interesting offers to get straight back into the hot seat.

Deportivo Alaves, recently relegated Osasuna and C.D. Aves of Portugal have all been credited with an interest in signing up the young manager.
 
MENDIETA TO BETIS

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Gaizka Mendieta has caught media pundits off guard, dropping down to La Liga 123 to take charge of recently relegated Real Betis Balompié.

It is believed Mendieta specifically went out of his way to apply for the vacant post, such was his belief in the project set out by the chairman of the club.

Nothing short of promotion back to the top flight will do for the Verdiblancos, so Mendieta will have to be on top of his game and hit the ground running to instill a winning mentality early on. It will certainly help the manager knowing that Betis have the strongest squad pound for pound in the division and a sizeable tranfer kitty will be available to boot!
 
TRIMMING & RE-SHAPING THE SQUAD

Mendieta has been extremely busy in his quest to prepare the Verdeblanco’s for life in La Liga 123, with many old faces departing and many new faces arriving.

Despite a good sized transfer pot, Mendieta has had to limit himself in the market. In Particular, looking at quantity over quality (to an extent), with many holes in the squad to fill for the manager’s proffered 4-4-2

A forward (to push Sanabria), right and left winger (cover for Tello and Campbell), Central midfielder, right full back, centre back and back up keeper are all needed for Mendieta to bring the squad up to scratch, and that’s if none of his higher quality player’s have their release fee’s triggered by the bigger clubs sniffing about!


OUT

Both 37 year old Albanian full back Ansi Agolli and 23 year old Spanish right winger Guerrero depart for Italian shores linking up with new clubs in Seria B for nominal fees. Agolli joins Spal for €2.75M and Guerrero joins Frosinone Calcio for €2M.

Rob Schoofs will hook up with fellow La Liga 123 side Cadiz on a 12 month loan deal worth €1.2M to Betis. Mendieta will keep a keen eye on the progress of the Belgium midfielder, and how the handles the rigours of the lower league.

Former Inter Milan centre half Trent Sainsbury is next out of the turnstiles. Surplus to requirements, the Australian departs Estadio Benito Villamarín for a cool €7.1M. Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande beat off strong competition for the defender’s signature, tying him down to a 4 year multi-million pound contract.

Last out of the door, for now, is Fabian Ruiz. The 23 year old attacking midfielder will continue his career in the heart of Europe, signing a 3 year deal with Swiss outfit Young Boys, departing his old club for a fee of €7.4M

A club spokesman informed the media that Real Betis have knocked back bids for big hitters, Boudebouz and Guardado. the midfield pair are an integral part of this Betis side and he manager would be loathe to let either leave, despite strong suitors. One does wonder though whether, at 33 years of age and still worth a handsome sum, Guardado is not worth sacrificing for the greater good of the club..... the Mexican also commands a hefty salary.


IN

Vietto arrives for €2.2M on a year long loan.
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Starved of minutes at Atletico Madrid, Vietto was placed on the loan list in an effort to get the talented forward some much needed first team football. If the Argentinian can reproduce the kind of form which secured him a 2015, €20M transfer from Villarreal to Atletico Madrid, then Betis will reap the benefits.

The second player in, again on a 12 month loan deal, is former liverpool youth prodigy Benjamin Woodburn.
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Another player with a point to prove, but many years ahead of him, Woodburn has been brought in by Mendieta to offer competition to Joel Campbell out on the left and possibly up top too. He signs for €860K from Burnley.

Betis have struck a deal midway through July with Mendieta’s former club Las Palmas, bringing cultured central midfield Sergi Samper to the Andalusian outfit.
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Mendieta gave his thoughts on the new player:
“At only €6.4M, Sergi’s arrival represents really good value for this club. He reminds me in so many ways of Parejo from my time at Valencia. Sergi is not particularly physical, nor is he blessed with pace, but what he lacks in physicality he more than makes up for in guile and his ability to see a pass. He plays on the front foot, one step ahead, and will fit in nicely, you will see.”

On the same day as Samper’s arrival, Betis announce the acquisition of Pedro Pereira from Benfica.
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Like Woodburn and Vietto, Pereira comes to Betis for €5.7M with a point to prove, having not quite had the desired impact at Benfica after his breakthrough season at Sampdoria sealed the youngster a switch to Portugal. Pereira plays primarily as a right full back but can also be utilised as a centre back if needed.
 
STRENGTHENING CONTINUES

On the eve of the opening La Liga 123 fixtures, Real Betis fend of competition to sign highly sort after centre back Rúben Diaz from Benfica.
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At €7.75M the transfer represents great value for a player who brings with him some excellent leadership qualities, belying his years. Expect Diaz to push current Betis centre back pairing Jordi Amat and Aïssa Mandi for a starting berth.

Diaz will be unavailable for the Verdiblancos opening fixture against Numancia due to the relevant paperwork being submitted too late.
 
2019/2020 SEASON OPENER​

Real Betis 0-0 Numancia

A Contentious refereeing decision the highlight in this tightly fought stalemate.



Both teams had their moments, with Numancia probably shading the game having created the better opportunities. However, it was an incident in the 31st minute at Estadio Benito Villamarín that proved to be pivotal. At first glance all looked perfectly innocent.
Numancia midfielder Álvarez beat the offside trap but was denied a goal by Adán, who had raced off his line as quick as lightning to close down the 38 year old. The Betis keeper had spread himself brilliantly to deny Álvarez, with the ball being diverted wide off Adán’s outstretched arm. However, on closer inspection it appears as though the keeper’s arm came into contact with the ball outside of the 18 yard box. Despite the Numancia player’s remonstrations, the referee refused to halt proceedings and let play continue.
 
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Real Betis 1-0 Osasuna

Samper super strike caps off a dominant Betis display.

Billed as one of the seasons biggest contests between the two relegated teams, Osasuna failed to turn up and we’re lucky not to get mauled by Mendieta’s misfiring Betis side. Osasuna offered little going forward and managed a poultry single shot to the Verdiblancos 14! The northern Spanish outfit were second best in all areas.

In the 76th minute, in only his second appearance for Betis, Sergi Samper sealed the victory with an unstoppable half volley from 25 yards.


A worthy winner from the midfielder, and no less than the Verdiblancos deserved for a positive display in front of the home fans.
 
Sporting Gijon 0-1 Real Betis

Sanabria strike silences Sporting.


With his expected departure from the club imminent, contract rebel Jordi Amat was left out of the match day squad entirely. Young new signing Dias slotted in at centreback in his sted, making his full debut in the process.

Sanabria scored his first goal of the season under the floodlights at Estadio El Molinón. Samper’s daring 21st minute forward pass to the feet of Campbell situated on the edge of the box paid dividends. The Costa Rican controlled well and deftly flicked the ball over the defender to Sanabria, who’s side footed volley at waste height beat the desperate dive of the Gijon keeper.

It was an intriguing match up in another early season encounter between two of the divisions biggest hitters, but Real Betis always looked more likely to take the points.

Mendieta will be pleased with the performance of debutant Rúben Dias who looked commanding in his first start for Betis. An impressive tally of three key interceptions was higher than any other player on the pitch!
 
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