A very good second half of the season saw Real Betis shoot up into the European positions and finish in sixth place, securing Europa League football for next year.
Manuel Pellegrini took over as coach in the summer. After winning the first two matches against weak opposition, Real Betis struggled at the start of the year. But, as 2020 became 2021, they really improved. The coach and his squad started to click.
The strong second half of the season, with striker Borja Iglesias finally hitting a good run of form and with the team not losing any of their final 11 matches of the campaign, saw Real Betis secure sixth.
This was a well-balanced team, with Pellegrini’s 4-2-3-1 protecting his defence at the same time as giving space for playmakers Sergio Canales and Nabil Fekir to shine. Real Betis were the only team to finish with a goal difference of zero, highlighting the balance they struck between defending and attacking.
If there was a weakness then it was the defence and the goalkeeping position, but this was solved by playing a double pivot. Looking ahead to next season, strengthening the defence is a priority, especially with Aissa Mandi set to leave as well.
With Real Betis back in the Europa League, they’ll need a deeper squad too if they’re to cope.
