On Wednesday, in Villanueva de la Serena, Manuel Pellegrini was about to relive his worst episode on the bench. In 2009, Madrid was beaten by Alcorcón in the Copa del Rey, which gave them a 4-0 victory. On Wednesday, Betis lost 1-0 at Villanovense in the 88th minute. Abde and Borja Iglesias avoided the debacle just before the Betis host Real Madrid this Saturday.
The Chilean coach (70 years old) did not do well against his former team, whom he has only beaten once after his time in Chamartín. He has not achieved it either with Betis or before with Manchester City. In fact, it is almost 11 years since his last victory: with Málaga, 3-2 against Mourinho’s Madrid.
In the last three Leagues, Pellegrini has always taken points from the whites, with three draws to zero. But this time he counts on Isco Alarcón, who was also next to him on December 22, 2012 at La Rosaleda. The one from Arroyo de la Miel opened the scoring. The following year he was already playing for Madrid, a shirt he defended in 353 games in nine seasons and with which he won five Champions Leagues (he participated in four of the five finals).
At 31 years old, the playmaker is enjoying football again at Betis after a brief spell at Sevilla, where he fell out with Monchi. Perhaps the half year that he was without a team makes him make the most of the opportunity and Villamarín has welcomed him wonderfully.
For Pellegrini, the signing of Isco has served to alleviate the departure of Sergio Canales and the loss of Fekir, now recovered. The Andalusian has been a starter in all 15 games and his impact has not been long in coming. He has 2 goals (he hasn’t scored since matchday 11) and two assists but he is also the player who receives the most fouls (44) and the sixth in the championship in dribbles (with 29) and the second who has the most impact for his team in attack, after Aspas.
In Madrid, where everything seems to indicate that Kepa will regain ownership, they already know where the threat is. They know her very well. And Isco also to them.
