We have just about passed the halfway point of the 2021/22 LaLiga season and it would be a massive understatement to suggest that there have been some shocks. Major clubs like Getafe, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have had catastrophic collapses. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, predicted to have comfortable, trophy winning seasons are now in major danger of losing out on top 4 spots, and Getafe expected to finish comfortably mid-table are in a relegation battle. Even looking up the table you would be in for Sevilla 2nd and in a title race, and arguably the biggest shock of them all in newly promoted Rayo Vallecano, currently 11 places higher than where they were expected to finish. These major shocks have come with their fair share of coverage, with the media and fans left scratching their heads in astonishment. However, there has been one team in particular that has been ignored. One team that has risen like a phoenix from the ashes to take the football world by storm. One team that will leave everyone who ignored and doubted them eating their words. The next historic Laliga team, following in the footsteps of Real Madrid’s galacticos and Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola era. In this article, learn of the next football superpower in the making, Real Betis.
For those of you who may not be familiar with Real Betis, they are a side surrounded in chaos. In the past 3 seasons alone, Real Betis’s league standings range from near relegation in 15th, to Europa League qualification in 6th. It’s not as if this time frame is a blip either. Since the 15/16 season which was their first in Laliga after being promoted, there have been 4 separate occasions where Betis finished 5 or more places farther than they did the previous season, whether that was up or down the table. Furthermore, during this time frame they have finished 11 places higher than their previous season on two separate occasions. With all of this in mind, you may begin to assume that Real Betis are simply going through a good patch of form before dropping back to relegation battles, but there are several key differences to take into account, differences that turn this season from a usual high to the start of something special.
While the statistics above may reveal part of the story, they don’t tell the whole tale. Since being promoted to LaLiga in the 15/16 season, Real Betis have already cycled through 5 different managers. Of those 5, only Quique Setien has completed 2 full seasons at the club. However, that statistic is set to change, with Pellegrini having dedicated himself to the club until 2025 and looking nowhere near the sack. Furthermore, should Real Betis maintain their spot in 3rd, this will be the first time Real Betis improve on their previous league finish twice in a row (from 15th in 19/20, to 6th in 20/21 and then to 3rd in 21/22). Even their transfer business has improved significantly since Pellegrini’s arrival, climbing 12 places up the table compared to the 19/20 season, whilst spending around $99 million less in all 4 transfer windows since, combined. Pellegrini has shown his ability to sign top talent for as little as possible, and even with lacking funds due to Laliga’s financial structure, it is clear that he will be able to make cheap signings and still bring in world class talent. Essentially, Real Betis would be the Dortmund of the world if Dortmund didn’t constantly sell their best talent.
To summarize, Real Betis have got everything they need to become a footballing dynasty for years to come. An in form team that’s on the rise, an experienced manager who can recruit a world class squad for as little as possible, and LaLiga giants crumbling like there’s no tomorrow. For those of you who have been ignoring Betis, keep on the lookout for their rise, because soon the world will be watching Sergio Canales lift the LaLiga title for Real Betis, left scratching their heads wondering how on Earth it all happened.