Betis and Madrid faced off on a crucial match for both teams in the last LaLiga game of the weekend. On the home side Betis, which were only five points above relegation before the match due to the recent losing streak they have gone through, needed desperately the win in order to get some air and climb back spots in the table. On the other side Madrid, who started the game two points behind Barça as they won yesterday, were forced to win if they wanted to recover the first place.
Tactical wise, Betis presented a 4-4-1 system with an advanced defense, Edgar González in the middle, and Loren Morón on top. On Zidane´s squad, Éder Militao played in defense, midfield was formed by Casemiro, Kroos and Modric, Vinícius on the left and Lucas Vázquez on the right wing in order to substitute starting right back Carvajal as he was suspended for this game.
Betis were very superior in the first half against a very static Madrid. The home team dominated the game completely through an excellent ball movement mostly carried out by Joaquín, Fekir and Loren.
And Betis reflected their domain after two clear chances by Bartra and Fekir that Courtois saved. They scored the first one thanks to a magnificent shot by Sidnei right outside the box from a corner kick to put home team ahead on the scoreboard.
But just as it seemed that Betis would go in front to halftime, Madrid were able to score the equalizer in the last play of the first half. Zidane´s team went out in transition, Brazilian Vinícius crossed from the left, and Sidnei kicked Marcelo inside the box as the referee called a penalty that Benzema scored on a poor first half by Madrid.
They did not improve on their game either after halftime and Betis kept growing and looking to score their second one. Fekir sent an amazing pass to Canales behind Madrid´s defense, the first one passed it to Joaquín, who dribbled keeper Courtois and just as he was to score he decided to pass it back to Canales, but Modric stole it to save his team right on time.
Zidane was not liking what he was seeing and he put forward Mariano by midfielder Kroos in order to increase Madrid´s presence in attack, but that substitution did not work either as, apart from a clear one by a double shot from Modric and Mariano that hit the crossbar, Madrid never took control of the game. And Betis finally found their deserved prize from a loss by Benzema in the midfield that Guardado intercepted to send a great pass to Tello, who drove it towards Courtois goal and scored the winner.
This way, Betis meet again with the win that Ramos, Casemiro and Zidane recognized that was well deserved, as the home team gets some fresh air while Madrid losses once again the first place, which goes back to Barcelona.
