Real Betis Balompié trained on Thursday with their focus set on their upcoming La Liga match against Villarreal. The session saw the participation of young winger Abde and academy product Rodrigo Marina, while full-back Aitor Ruibal was absent due to injury. The Verdiblancos, who sit fourth in the table with nine points, will travel to La Cerámica next Monday, September 14th, to face a Villarreal side currently in 17th place.
Diego Llorente, who suffered a nasal fracture in a clash with Marc Roca during the match against Real Madrid, took part in training without the protective face mask he had been wearing. This is a clear sign the centre-back has fully recovered from his injury and is ready for Monday's clash. His return is a boost for the manager, who can call upon one of his key defensive pieces at a time when the team has conceded five goals in the first four matchdays.
What role will Abde and Rodrigo Marina play?
Abde's presence in Betis training generates expectation. The Moroccan winger was not called up for the Champions League match against Lille, but his work this week suggests he is in the plans for the league fixture. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Marina, a homegrown talent, also completed the session. The midfielder stood out last weekend in Betis Deportivo's 0-1 win over Las Palmas Atlético, showcasing his quality and progression.
Marina was close to leaving on loan during the summer transfer window but ultimately stayed at the club. His continuity and involvement with the first team this week are a sign of the coaching staff's trust in him. With a packed schedule that includes European competition, having homegrown players like Marina can be key for rotation and maintaining the team's freshness. Fans can follow the progress of all players on the official squad page.
How do the absences affect preparation?
The main absence from Thursday's session was Aitor Ruibal. The right-back is injured and could not work with the group, adding to the list of players Betis currently has sidelined, which also includes Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. Diego Llorente's recovery, however, partly offsets this defensive loss. Meanwhile, internationals Giovani Lo Celso and Dani Ceballos, who travelled to Lille for the Champions League match, rejoined training without issue.
The coaching staff's planning for Villarreal must account for the fatigue of these players who have accumulated minutes in Europe. Betis arrives at the match with a record of three wins and one loss in the league, a results streak that can be checked in the standings section. Maintaining pace in the domestic competition is essential, especially being just three points behind leaders Barcelona.
What is expected from the match against Villarreal?
The clash at La Cerámica presents a complicated challenge for Real Betis. Villarreal, despite their lowly table position, is always a dangerous opponent at home. Manuel Pellegrini's team will look to impose their game and take three points to consolidate their place in the upper reaches of the standings. With five goals scored and five conceded, defensive balance will be a priority, especially with the return of an experienced centre-back like Llorente.
The next fixture on the calendar, which can be seen in detail in our fixtures section, is this Monday, September 14th at 21:00. A positive result against Villarreal would be an important step in Betis's season, as they face a key period with consecutive matches in two competitions. The team ended the training session focused on the immediate objective: winning away from home.
