This Wednesday’s match between Real Betis and UD Las Palmas was something more than a pre-season game. On the pitch at the Benito Villamarín, the two most important teams in the career of Rubén Castro came face to face in a tribute to a footballer who spent eight seasons at Betis, playing games and scoring 148 goals, making him the club’s all time leading scorer. In the pre-match warm up, the player received a moving tribute from both teams as well as from local fans, who still idolise him.
As for the match, it turned out to be one of the hardest tests this summer for Pepe Mel’s club. To approach it, the manager put out his strongest line-up comprising Josep; Eric Curbelo, Martín Mantovani, Mauricio Lemos, Alberto de La Bella; Timor, Galarreta, Pedri, Kirian, Benito and Edu Espiau. The game started off in entertaining fashion. William Carvalho and Benito Ramírez had early chances, but it was in the 9th minute when youth player Espiau got himself into a clear scoring position with a great cut back and shot from inside the box.
As the match progressed, Las Palmas continued to look good on the ball, although it was Betis who struck first. In the 16th minute’, Fekir make the most of a lack of understanding to open up the scoring. From that point on, both sides fought for possession and create danger in their rivals’ area. Benito, playing wide out on the right, led the yellows’ attacks with some long range efforts which didn’t find the net. The sides went in at half time with a slender advantage for the home team.
A superb shot by the young Pedri went just past the angle between crossbar and post to get the second half under way. Chances came and went for both sides. Las Palmas played with more ambition after the break, and almost equalised with a shot by David Timor from the half way line which went very close. Soon after, Timor once again came very close with a powerful drive, as did Benito Ramírez, who had the home keeper scrambling across his goal. All in a 5 minute purple patch for Las Palmas. After an hour came multiple substitutions on both sides, but no further goals were added, and the match ended with a narrow victory for the home side.
UD Las Palmas return on Thursday to Gran Canaria and the following Saturday, in the Ciudad Deportiva de Arrecife, play their final pre-season outing, against UD Lanzarote, kick off at 19.00, in the San Ginés Trophy.
MATCH STATS:
REAL BETIS: D. Martín, Zou Feddal, Bartra, A. Pedraza, Fekir, Canales, William, Joaquín, E. Royal, Kaptoum and Raúl. Manager: Rubí. Substitutes: Joel, Javi Gracia, Juanmi, C. Tello, Sidnei, Loren, A. Barragán, D. Lainez, Edgar, Calderón and Ismael.
UD LAS PALMAS, : Josep, Mauricio Lemos, De la Bella, Timor, Eric Curbelo, Benito, Kirian, Pedri, Galarreta, Mantovani and Edu Espiau. Manager: Pepe Mel. Substitutes: Álvaro Valles, Álex Suárez, Rubén Castro, Toni Robaina, Drolé, Á. Lemos, Deivid, Boris, Dani Castellano, Srnic, Aythami, Fabio, Jesús Fortes and Benito del Valle.
GOALS: 1-0: Fekir, min.16;
REFEREE: Melero López, Mario from the Andalusian Federation.
STADIUM: Friendly match. Testimonial for Rubén Castro in the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
