Isco and Diao come back for Betis in Europe

Real Betis came back (2-1) this Thursday against Sparta Prague on the second day of the Europa League in Group C with the four teams tied on three points, a vital victory that was served by Isco Alarcón, with a header and which striker in the 79th minute.

The brain of the Andalusian team this season was also the stiletto that gave the first European points to Manuel Pellegrini's team. In the heat, literal and metaphorical, of Benito Villamarín, Isco was the thermometer of a Betis that improved in the second half after suffering in the first with a 1-1 at halftime.

The Czech champion took the lead after three minutes with Veljko Birmancevic's goal that caught a boxed defense off guard once again in the absence of pure center backs.. The play in just three touches after a throw-in showed the dangers of a Sparta that gave away the tie shortly after with a serious error by its goalkeeper.

Peter Vindahl went for grapes and Assane Diao scored for the third game in a row. However, Betis continued at the mercy of the rival, without the ball to create or look for their men up front, Abde missing, and with a lot of arrival from the Czechs. Isco appeared before the break and in stoppage time Betis forgave the counterattack.

At the restart, the local team came out with the clear idea of pressing higher and being the protagonist. Isco led the locals with the first approaches, a direct free kick and a long shot, and the changes ended up giving Pellegrini's team control. Abner and Guardado gave the game on the wings that the rival had had and Aitor Ruibal had the clearest shot 20 minutes from the end, in the best moment of a Betis whose aim was failing.

Then, Isco read the gap to come from the second line and head a good cross from Guido into the net.. The former Real Madrid player, from Sevilla last year, gave a well-chased victory to a Betis team that tasted European victory on the second occasion. In the other game in Group C, Aris surprised Rangers (2-1), leaving the four teams with three points.