Betis meets to be in the Conference playoffs

A goal given to Cardoso and a narrow victory against HJK Helsinki

Gent or Copenhagen, possible rivals for the ticket to the round of 16

Real Betis beat HJK Helsinki (1-0) this Thursday to ensure their presence in the Conference League playoffs, an uneventful match although without suffering excessively at the Benito Villamarín to meet Gent or Copenhagen.

Manuel Pellegrini’s team jumped with intensity and with a fairly powerful eleven against a HJK that did not create almost a single dangerous chance. Johnny Cardoso was the scorer of the goal around the half hour mark after a serious error by the visiting goalkeeper. Betis missed the opportunity to improve its image in Europe and in the second half they let themselves be carried away with the uncertainty of a short score.

Betis was being superior, arriving with danger and showing that it is one of the best teams in the competition when that 1-0 from Cardoso came. Chimy Ávila, the best of the match, had it shortly after but Thijmen Nijhuis wanted to take revenge for the goal given away. Abde also gave a lot of work to the rival defense and returned after the break, giving Bakambu the chance.

Betis confirmed its aiming problem and the entry of Juanmi and Vitor Roque did not bring a 2-0 of greater peace for the final stretch either. HJK, a team that finished its league two months ago and with many very young players, stayed on its feet and gave a couple of scares, with a goal disallowed and a last one from Liam Moller.

Pellegrini’s men fulfilled their goal to be in the playoffs, a round trip toll to be in the round of 16, with 10 points as 15th. In this way, in this Friday’s draw, their rival in these ’round of 32′ will be Gent or Copenhagen in February and with the second leg at Villamarín, but Chelsea also threatens in the round of 16.