Real Betis has drawn 0-0 in their first pre-season match against Recreativo de Huelva, played this morning at Nuevo Colombino. The friendly served as the first test for Manuel Pellegrini's side.
Real Betis kicked off their 2026/27 pre-season with a goalless draw at Nuevo Colombino against Recreativo de Huelva. The match, played in the early hours of Thursday, was the first test for the verdiblancos ahead of the new campaign.
The match started at a calm pace, typical of a preparatory friendly. Both teams took the opportunity to rotate players and test tactical formations. Betis, coming off a victory in their last match of the previous season, aimed to maintain their positive momentum, although the Huelva side put up a fight and made it difficult to create clear chances.
During the early stages, the team managed by Manuel Pellegrini tried to impose their possession style, but found a well-organised and defensively solid Recreativo. The most notable chances came from set pieces, but none managed to beat the opposing goalkeeper.
The Chilean coach took the opportunity to give minutes to several players from the youth team and the newly signed players, in a match that served more to build rhythm than to seek a result. The lack of recent performance data on Recreativo and the absence of detailed statistics for both teams prevent a deeper analysis of the game.
Betis, who finished in a comfortable position in LaLiga last season, approaches this pre-season with the aim of fine-tuning their machinery for a campaign in which they will compete in several competitions. The next friendly for the Seville side will be against Alavés next Saturday, in a match that will be held behind closed doors at the training ground.
On the other hand, Recreativo de Huelva, who play in Primera Federación, is also immersed in their summer preparation. The oldest club in Spanish football took the opportunity to measure themselves against a higher-category opponent and test the level of their squad.
The goalless draw leaves bittersweet feelings among Betis fans, who expected to see more offensive fluidity. However, the coaching staff positively values the physical effort and defensive solidity displayed, key aspects in these first weeks of work.
The match was played without notable incidents and with a moderate attendance at the stadium, where fans of both teams gathered. Betis will return to training this Thursday to prepare for the next friendly, while Recreativo will continue their preparations for the upcoming season in the third tier.
Betis's next match will be, as mentioned, against Alavés, a rival that is also in the process of building their squad. It will be another opportunity for players to accumulate minutes and for the coach to start defining the starting eleven ahead of the league kickoff.
Pre-season is always a period of uncertainty and experimentation, and this first draw is not a cause for alarm. The important thing, according to club sources, is that all players have completed the planned workload and that no injuries have been reported.
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