The aftermath of Betis’ thrilling victory over Real Madrid last Saturday saw praise pouring in for several key players. Isco Alarcón, the superlative midfielder, stole the show with a goal and an assist, while Jesús Rodríguez, the emerging star from the club’s academy, played a crucial role in securing the winning penalty. Johnny Cardoso, the team’s leader, also scored a vital goal to level the match. However, amidst all the accolades, one player’s outstanding performance flew under the radar – Sergi Altimira.
The Catalan midfielder’s growth at the club has been exponential this season. Having joined in the summer of 2023, courtesy of Ramón Planes, after a brief stint at Getafe, Altimira took time to adapt to the massive leap from Primera RFEF to a top-tier team competing in Europe. His first season saw limited opportunities, with just 794 minutes of playtime across 17 games, only nine of which were as a starter. Nevertheless, he utilized this period to acclimate himself to the demands of the higher level.
This season, Altimira’s second in the elite league, has been a breakout one. With over 2,300 minutes of playtime across 36 matches, including two goals and an assist, he has seized the chance to shine. The player, who honed his skills in the Barcelona academy before finding his footing at Sabadell, has capitalized on the injuries plaguing his team’s midfield, including those to William Carvalho and Marc Roca. He has established himself as a key support to Johnny Cardoso, impressing against Ancelotti’s team and justifying why Manchester City had considered him during the previous winter transfer window before ultimately opting for Nico González due to his greater experience at the highest level.

Spectacular Numbers Against Real Madrid
Altimira’s performance against Real Madrid was marked by his effectiveness in ball distribution, achieving a 95% pass accuracy with 40 successful passes out of 42 attempts. He controlled the ball 58 times, created a scoring opportunity, won half of his duels (seven out of 14), and successfully completed two of the four dribbles he attempted. His defensive contributions were equally impressive, recovering three balls, clearing two, and intercepting one.
Betis paid 1.5 million euros for Sergi just over a year and a half ago, with an additional 0.5 million potentially due to the player as per his release clause with Getafe. The investment is already paying off, with the City showing interest before deciding on Nico González for his experience. Other Premier League clubs are also keeping a close eye on Altimira. Meanwhile, Pellegrini continues to show faith in him, offering opportunities and minutes that the player is repaying with strong performances, especially after a minor slump a few weeks ago.