FC Porto arrive at the Benito Villamarín for the Champions League match on 14 October with a severe crisis at centre-back. The Portuguese league leaders face the clash with up to four absences in that position, presenting a clear advantage for a Real Betis side sitting third in La Liga with 16 points.
Jordi Santamaría summarised it: "El Porto se queda sin centrales para visitar al Betis". The situation is complex for manager Francesco Farioli. Argentine defender Nehuén Pérez, who played against Manchester City, suffered a new injury in training and will be out for at least a month. Also, Polish defender Jan Bednarek is suspended due to a ban carried over from last season. Croatian player Prpic is not even registered for the Champions League squad.
The 37-year-old manager is left with Jakub Kiwior, formerly of Arsenal, as his only available natural centre-back. The absence of Seko Fofana, out for two months with a left adductor tear, complicates matters further. Farioli is considering the option of deploying regular defensive midfielder Pablo Rosario as an improvised central defender. The manager has given his squad a week's rest during the international break to prepare for this challenge.
For Real Betis, this scenario arrives at an ideal time. Manuel Pellegrini's team is unbeaten in their last five matches, with four wins and a draw. Their last result was a 1-1 draw against Deportivo La Coruña, where Cucho Hernández scored. Before hosting Porto, Betis must face Osasuna at home on 11 October, an opponent currently in 13th place. The Betis squad can check the full schedule on our fixtures page and the updated league table on standings.
The match is for the second matchday of the Champions League group stage. Porto are coming off a 3-1 win over Benfica and lead their domestic league with a perfect record after seven games, but their fragile defence in Seville could be decisive. Betis will look to secure their first three points in Europe after the competition's opening round.
Read the full report at Mundo Deportivo
