A purchase that has brought with it many questions, but which has so far performed beyond expectations. Betis has signed Nathan Bernardo de Souza on loan from Napoli after the departure of Germán Pezzella and the Brazilian defender immediately gave truly comforting responses: taking advantage of Bartra’s absence, he was deployed as a starter by Manuel Pellegrini against Real Madrid and Leganés and convinced everyone.
The Brazilian, he emphasizes Ashas brought the grit that defenders have lacked in past seasons and now aims to have continuity, to demonstrate that he can play in one of the most important clubs in LaLiga. With him and Diego Loreto (another old acquaintance of Serie A) in the centre of defence, the Andalusians have obtained three wins and one defeat, conceding goals only from Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappé.
Pellegrini can rejoice, given that the absences in the back line are decreasing: Bartra and Mendy are on the road to recovery and Ricardo Rodríguez could also be used as a center back if necessary. For now, the Chilean coach is calm, waiting for the adventure in Europe to begin and for the many commitments to make rotation almost mandatory. The satisfaction, for now, is that of having immediately found the two replacements for the departing Pezzella and Chadi Riad.