Real Betis Balompié

[Pat Murphy]

City/Province: Seville, Andaluscia
Stadium: Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera
Capacity: 52,700
Club Founded: 1907
Manager: Héctor Cúper
Nickname: Béticos, Verdiblancos



Squad:

Goalkeepers
1. Contreras
13. Doblas
28. Relaño
30. Casto
-- Ricardo

Defenders
4. Juanito
5. David Rivas
6. Branko Ilic
15. Nano
22. Fernando Vega
27. Melli
28. Isidoro

Midfielders
7. Juan Pablo Caffa
8. Arzu
9. Fernando
11. Mark González
14. Capi
16. Vogel
18. Rivera
19. Marko Babic
20. Assunçao
21. Miguel Ángel
23. Odonkor
27. Juande
30. Israel
- Damià

Strikers
12. Robert
17. Fabrice Pancrate
19. Xisco
24. Edu
24. Maldonado
25. Rafael Sobis
- Mariano Hugo Pavone

Players Out:


Players In:
Mariano Hugo Pavone from Estudiantes for an Undisclosed Fee
Ricardo from Sporting Lisbon for £2million

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Estudiantes de la Plata striker Mariano Pavone's agent claims Real Betis have made a move to sign the Argentina international.

Udinese and Atalanta have been linked with moves for Pavone, 24, but Betis appear to have jumped to the head of the queue.

Pavone's agent, Hugo Issa, revealed his client's preference is for a move to La Liga.

"It would be perfect because the boy is hoping for a move to Spain," Issa told the Argentine press.

"Our job now is to convince Estudiantes to reach a deal with the Spanish side."

Betis have played down speculation regarding player recruitment, preferring instead to concentrate on the here and now of avoiding relegation from the Spanish top flight.

Director Angel Marin said: "Our sole objective at the moment is to avoid relegation and after that there'll be time to negotiate contracts."

Betis are four points clear of third-from-bottom Real Sociedad with just two matches remaining of the Spanish programme.

Source: Skysports

[jec1]

Don't know much about the kid, but he could be a Good prospect.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Real Betis have officially announced that Hector Cuper has been appointed as the club's new coach and he will be presented on Monday at the Ruiz de Lopera.

The Argentinian trainer flew to Seville earlier this week to agree terms and has already put forward a list of new players that he would like to bring in.

Luis Fernandez was sacked before the final game of the season as Betis looked set to be relegated and only a win in that last game at Racing maintained their top flight status.

Last summer, Javier Irureta was brought in to revive the Andalucian outfit's fortunes but he stepped down a week before Christmas having made a poor start to the campaign.

Cuper spent last season out of football after leaving Real Mallorca in February 2006 with the team rooted to the foot of the table.

He made his name during his first spell at the Balearic club, when he guided them to the European Cup Winners' Cup Final and the Copa del Rey final in the late 1990's.

That impressed Valencia enough to offer him the job as coach in 1999 and Cúper led los Ché to two successive European Cup Final appearances.

A further two seasons followed at Inter in Serie A where he guided the team to third and second place finishes and famously fell out with Brazilian striker Ronaldo.

Betis are hoping that he can lift their fortunes after they look to make up some ground on their city rivals Sevilla.

Portuguese international goalkeeper, Ricardo, has already joined from Sporting Lisbon, while Mark Gonzalez has come from Liverpool and Hugo Pavone has signed from Estudiantes.

Source: Skysports

[Pat Murphy]

Well Betis still have quality players even tho they almost got relegated last season and 1 or 2 good signings and great season can give them a top 6 finish. Fans this season will probably be hoping for a top table finish and a good cup run.

[Trim]

Cuper is a decent coach.
He should do a good job, Betis won't be near the relegation zone I guess.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Real Betis have completed the signing of Portugal international goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira from Sporting Lisbon.

The Spaniards have agreed to pay Sporting €3 million (£2 million) for the 31-year-old who has concurred on a lucrative four-year deal.

Betis - who have recently appointed Hector Cuper as manager - are looking to inject quality into their squad this summer after a campaign spent battling relegation last time around.

Ricardo is well known to English fans having twice starred in penalty shoot-out wins for Portugal over England at Euro 2004 and the World Cup in 2006.

He becomes the club's fourth signing of the close-season following the captures of Mariano Pavone, Mark Gonzalez and Marko Babic.

However, a fifth, and another goalkeeper, seems poised to join in the near future as Los Verdiblancos have set up a move for Diego Alves.

The custodian currently plies his trade for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, but Betis want him to compete with Ricardo to strengthen their keeping stable.

If a deal for Alves is completed then it seems certain that either Pedro Contreras or Toni Doblas, who were the club's one and two last season, will be moved on.

Source: Skysports

I like this goalkeeper.He has a winner attitude.

[Daniel24]

This happened about 3-4 days ago.I was so sadly dissapointed with this deal but I guess it was his time to leave.I hope him the best but I don't think Betis can win the League like Sporting could if Ricardo was still around.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Betis has no chance in the world to win La Liga but they are looking better from last season.

[Daniel24]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

Betis has no chance in the world to win La Liga but they are looking better from last season.

See thats what I mean.At least while he was at Sporting he had a 1/3 chance of winning it all but with Betis its like what 1/16?

[Mighty T.A.L.]

It's just that La Liga are more attractive league to play for and I guess he receive a better wage at Betis.

[Pat Murphy]

3 times better wage I read.

Betis have other priorities like a proper striker to buy. They have a lot of quality in midfield but their attack and wingbacks need to improve if they want a top table finish.

[jec1]

Yeah, When I first heard this, I was pissed. Ricardo is portugal's NT goalie and he has been good.

I think he wanted out of his contract and to test the waters.

Anyways, I wish him good luck with his future club.

[Lemmy]

great signing for betis.

[Pat Murphy]

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

Vogel wants a free transfer to Everton, Betis don't want to let him go.


Goal.com - Transfer Zone - Assuncao To Stay At Betis; Robert To Leave

Assuncao rejected Besiktas offer and Cuper says Robert will leave.