Real Betis Balompié approaches its Champions League return with a lengthy injury list and the controversy from its win over Real Madrid still simmering. Goalkeeper Diego Conde has recovered from his injury and is ready to travel to Lille.
Who will referee Lille vs Real Betis?
UEFA has appointed Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov for Tuesday's match at the Stade Pierre Mauroy. ABC Deportes notes that Kabakov, 40, has a mixed record with Spanish teams in his six previous matches, with only two wins for LaLiga clubs. Conversely, French teams have won all three games he has officiated, including one involving Lille.
The official will be assisted by his compatriots Martin Margaritov and Martin Venev. The VAR will be overseen by Belgian Bram Van Driessche, with Croatian Ivan Bebek as his assistant. Betis faces this continental challenge while sitting third in LaLiga, with nine points from twelve and a goal difference of zero, having scored and conceded five goals each.
What happened in Real Betis vs Real Madrid?
Real Betis secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Real Madrid last Friday at La Cartuja. Daily Mail Sport reported the sarcastic comments of José Mourinho, who said Betis "won the lottery" by taking all three points despite his team's possession and chance superiority. The goal came in the 80th minute through Troy Parrott, who finished a rebound after a Nelson Deossa header.
The most dramatic moment came in stoppage time, when Álvaro Valles saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappé. The Verdiblanco goalkeeper celebrated the save emphatically in front of the French forward. Betis thus maintains its positive streak, with three wins and one loss in its first four league games. You can check the full table on our standings page.
Who is Ethan Mbappé?
The Champions League opener has a curious subplot, as Betis will face Ethan Mbappé, Kylian's younger brother. ABC Deportes points out that the 19-year-old winger plays for Lille and was linked with the Seville club in 2024, although the deal fell through due to the price. His current market value is around nine million euros.
This coincidence adds extra spice to the match, following Valles's penalty save against Kylian last weekend. The young Ethan will look to redeem the family name in a key duel for both teams. Betis faces this challenge with several important absences, such as Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Aitor Ruibal, Diego Llorente, and Giovani Lo Celso, in addition to Conde who is now returning. The team's status can be followed on the injuries list.
When does Betis play after the Champions League?
After the match in France, Real Betis's focus will shift back to LaLiga. Their next fixture is on Saturday, September 14th, an away trip to Villarreal, a team currently in 16th place. This match will be another important test in the Verdiblancos' packed schedule.
Manuel Pellegrini's team must manage a demanding calendar with matches every three days. The squad, depleted by injuries, will need to demonstrate its depth. Diego Conde's return to the goalkeeper group provides some relief for this period. The complete match sequence is available in our fixtures calendar. Betis travels to Lille for a historic reunion with the top European competition after a 21-year absence.
