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Real Betis started the new season with purpose and beat Elche CF 3-0 at Estadio Benito Villamarin last weekend — the same fixture which cost Manuel Pellegrini’s men their UEFA Champions League ambitions as recently as April when they lost 1-0 at home to the middling Valencian outfit. Los Verdiblancos went on to win their third Copa del Rey title last term but there was a feeling that they could and perhaps should have also reached Europe’s top table at the expense of neighbors Sevilla FC before their slow late season form dashed those hopes and ultimately left a five-point gap.
Pellegrini’s men are back for another crack at the UCL spots with legendary veteran captain Joaquin staying on for one final year at the age of 41 and key men such as opening goal scorer Borja Iglesias and assist provider Nabil Fekir tied down to long-term contracts in Andalusia. Fellow star Sergio Canales is currently injured but is also under contract until at least 2026 and summer signings Willian Jose, Luiz Henrique and Luiz Felipe have strengthened Pellegrini’s group which could yet see Hector Bellerin return after last year’s successful and emotional homecoming.
A few players have moved on this summer with Marc Bartra, Joel Robles, Diego Lainez and Cristian Tello all finding new temporary or permanent homes, but Alex Moreno resisted the temptation to be part of Nottingham Forest’s ambitious recruitment drive by opting to stay with Betis. Retaining the key parts to the heroic squad which lifted the Copa del Rey but fell agonizingly short in the Champions League chase as well as the UEFA Europa League round of 16 where they were ousted by eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt could prove vital for Pellegrini.
The wily Chilean tactician led his team to fifth in La Liga last season which bettered sixth place the campaign before that, and there is a feeling that this talented group can go one better and break into the…
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Source : cbssports
