The shadow derby

Big dates understand little of moods. But Betis and Sevilla reach their great derby under a handful of shadows and uncertainties (follow the game live on As.com). The league classification reflects the fight of both for the privileged zone, but Europe pushed both into a crisis that threatens to multiply fears on the pitch of Benito Villamarín. Those of Pellegrini arrive touched due to the falls in the Wanda and in Leverkusen. Seven goals against. None in favor. And the feeling of wavering before the greats. Sevilla, meanwhile, was the victim of their mistakes against Lille to notoriously complicate their classification. Too many gifts. Too many doubts.

Not everything is depression in Heliópolis and Nervión. Pellegrini proved capable of making weapons to heal wounds. And Lopetegui has them to multiply the strength of his team. Nobody fits less than Sevilla in this League. The Chilean clings to Fekir and his differential role. The Basque hands over his keys to the reliability of Koundé and Diego Carlos. Three points at stake. But also intangible sighs of glory.

The pitch rules and Betis wants Fekir to reign there, involved in the controversy after his expulsion in Leverkusen but turned into the main focus of football in Heliópolis. He handles Pellegrini’s most incisive cards. The technician will surround him with his best tricks. Rodri’s self-confidence. The soul of Canales. The intelligence of Guido Rodríguez. There will be a revolution in the rear after the European chaos and Willian José has an advantage over Borja Iglesias to be the nine of Betis. The eternal Joaquín will be on the bench and Tello intends to stop being. A half rotation for an express recovery.

Lopetegui does not have Jesús Navas and ruled out En-Nesyri. Rafa Mir’s irregularity invites even Lamela to act as a reference above. Montiel will enter the right-handed lane of a defense that seems reliable in the League. Even more so with Fernando in the surveillance. The Brazilian is a guarantee and he already reigned in the Sevillian derby. Ocampos will want to do it, faster and more successful in recent weeks.

There will be unexpected guests. Maybe Lainez? Maybe Oliver? Even Rakitic wants a place more for history than for football. But the party, made between grays, will also have fears and gaps in a Benito Villamarín dressed as normal. They all want to win. But above all, nobody wants to lose.