Real Betis vs. Athletic Bilbao (29.12.2022)

In a heated encounter on the 29th of December, 2022, Real Betis faced off against Athletic Bilbao in a match that saw emotions run high and cards dished out in quick succession. The game, characterized by its intensity and tactical battles, escalated in the second half with a series of substitutions and bookings that reflected the competitive nature of both sides.

The referee's notebook was first used in the 54th minute when Athletic Club's Mikel Vesga received a yellow card for a challenge that caught the attention of the official. This would set the tone for the remainder of the match, which saw a flurry of tactical changes and cautions.

Real Betis initiated their strategic maneuvers in the 66th minute, bringing on Borja Iglesias as their first substitution. Rapidly responding, Athletic Club made their own change just one minute later, introducing Oihan Sancet to the fray. The substitution strategy continued in the 72nd minute with Athletic Club making a double switch, as I. Williams and Gorka Guruzeta took to the pitch.

Sergio Canales was called upon by Real Betis in the 77th minute, replacing a teammate as the team's second substitution. In a turn of events, Athletic Club used this moment to make their fourth substitution with Dani García joining the match. Only moments after this change, Oier Zarraga of Athletic Club was booked with a yellow card.

As the match neared its conclusion, Real Betis made back-to-back substitutions in the 84th and 85th minutes with Y. Sabaly and Luiz Henrique adding fresh energy in an attempt to impact the game's outcome. The cards did not stop there, as Joaquín of Real Betis and Yuri Berchiche of Athletic Club both saw yellow at the 86-minute mark, indicating the persistent battle for dominance.

In the dying minutes of added time, the tension peaked as Real Betis's Luiz Felipe was shown a straight red card in the 96th minute, a decision sure to be a major talking point post-match. Athletic Club's Daniel Vivian had also been booked with a yellow card earlier in injury time.

The match closed out with both teams having to reflect on the disciplinary aspects that overshadowed the tactics and skills on display. The draw between Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao will be remembered not only for the football played but also for the stringent enforcement of the rules by the match officials.

Lineup Real Betis

Lineup Athletic Bilbao

Substitutes Real Betis

Substitutes Athletic Bilbao

Real Betis

The club with the full name Real Betis Balompié has many nicknames. They are Béticos, Verderones, Heliopolitanos, El Glorioso, Lobos (the wolves) or Los Verdiblancos (the green and white). The last nickname makes it easy to guess their club colours. The home jersey is predominantly green with white vertical stripes. They play their home games at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, which has a capacity of 60,720 seats after the last expansion in 2017.

Athletic Bilbao

The club's nicknames are Rojiblancos (Red and White) and Los Leones (The Lions). The club colours are of course red and white, which dominate both the home jersey and the emblem. Their home is the San Mamés stadium, a modern sanctuary built in 2013 that holds 53,289 people. It replaced the original stadium of the same name on the same site.

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