Eight first-team players from Real Betis Balompié have departed to join their national teams for the September international break. The absence of Abde, Ortiz, Junior, Fidalgo, Parrott, Facundo Bernal, Lo Celso, and Valentín Gómez provides manager Manuel Pellegrini with a clear window to work with a core group of players who remain in Seville.
The squad will return to training on Wednesday after two days off following a 1-1 draw at Deportivo La Coruna. That result keeps Betis third in La Liga with 16 points from seven games, five points behind leaders Barcelona. Pellegrini now has a chance to fine-tune his side ahead of a demanding October schedule.
The Chilean coach can rehearse with a very recognisable eleven made up entirely of players not called up by their countries. The lineup could feature Valles in goal; a defence of Bellerín, Natan, and one of the centre-backs recovering from muscle issues, Diego Llorente or Marc Bartra, with Fran García on the left. In midfield, Marc Roca and Fornals could form the double pivot, with an attacking trio of Antony, Isco, and Riquelme, and Cucho Hernández leading the line. All are available after being overlooked for international duty.
Pellegrini has said he "prefers to handle the matter with his usual equal distribution of minutes," a philosophy seen in his regular rotations of five to eight changes per match. In fact, his minute policy is clear: the players who remain, like those mentioned, have a golden opportunity to accumulate up to 630 minutes of specific work with the manager before the next official match. That fixture is on October 11 against Osasuna at the Estadio de La Cartuja. Of the eight internationals, only Abde is considered a regular starter, with the others being important rotation pieces for squad depth.
The recovery of players with niggles is key. Both Diego Llorente and Marc Bartra are on individual training plans to be ready for the league return against Osasuna on October 11 at the Estadio de La Cartuja. The subsequent schedule is gruelling: five La Liga matches, three Champions League games, and one Copa del Rey tie.
Another particular case is Antony, who is recovering from pubis problems. The Brazilian, one of the highest-paid players in the squad, has had irregular performances, with one complete display against Getafe and sporadic contributions in Europe. His frustration at a lack of accuracy in front of goal is known, but the break gives him time to work without pressure.
The team will play a preparation friendly against Ceuta before returning to official competition. Their opponent, Osasuna, currently sits 13th in the table, and the last meeting between the sides in April ended 1-1. With the team on a run of four wins and a draw in their last five matches, confidence is high. The full squad and the team's statistics reflect a solid unit that has scored nine and conceded seven in the league.
The return to work this Wednesday starts the countdown to a month that could define Real Betis Balompié's season.
Read the full report at ABC Deportes
