Real Betis Balompié begins their journey in the Champions League league phase this week with a clear objective: to go as far as possible. The club's vice president, José Miguel López Catalán, expressed the team's excitement in statements to ABC Deportes at Seville airport, 24 hours before their debut away to Lille in France.
What is the mood at Betis?
José Miguel López Catalán conveyed a mix of a dream fulfilled and competitive determination. "It's a dream and we are already here. We go with great excitement and to enjoy it," stated the director. He emphasised that the team faces the competition with a squad ready to perform well and with the mentality to compete in every match. This debut comes at a time of good form in La Liga, where Betis occupies fourth place with nine points from four games, just three points behind leaders Barcelona.
Why are the first matches key?
The Champions League league phase calendar places enormous importance on the start. López Catalán highlighted that the first five matches will be decisive for accumulating points and aiming for qualification to the next round. Every point counts from the first minute in France. A solid start can lay the foundation for the entire European campaign. The team arrives with a record of five goals scored and five conceded in the league, showing a competitiveness they hope to transfer to the continental stage.
How do current injuries affect the squad?
As they prepare for this historic debut, Real Betis Balompié must manage some significant absences in their squad. According to our verified data as of September 7, 2026, players Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Aitor Ruibal and Diego Llorente are currently sidelined. Their recovery will be closely monitored on our injuries page. Despite these absences, the club's message is one of confidence in the team's depth to handle the double commitment of league and Champions League.
What comes after the European debut?
The immediate focus is on Lille, but the schedule doesn't stop. After the match in France, Betis will have to quickly return to domestic competition. Their next La Liga fixture will be a trip to face Villarreal on September 14. The Yellow Submarine currently sits in 16th place, making it a demanding match in the context of the fight for the top spots in the table. Fans can check the full schedule in our fixtures section.
The mood in the Verdiblanco dressing room is one of maximum concentration. López Catalán summed it up: "We face this Champions League with a squad and a team prepared to do a good job." With fourth place in La Liga as a foundation and the ambition to make history in Europe, Real Betis Balompié kicks off their adventure in the top continental competition this Wednesday.
