Aitor Ruibal ready to face Feyenoord: 'No problem being available'
Betis utility man Aitor Ruibal confirms he's fit for crucial Europa League clash as Verdiblancos aim to secure top-8 spot despite injury crisis.
Betis’ Swiss Army knife Aitor Ruibal looks set to return to action just in time for Thursday’s crucial Europa League showdown with Feyenoord, giving Manuel Pellegrini’s injury-ravaged squad a much-needed boost.
Fitness Update
After missing Sunday’s trip to Mendizorroza against Alavés, the versatile Catalan has confirmed he’s on track for the European clash. Ruibal has been training individually but expects to rejoin the group sessions imminently.
“I’m feeling good, the plan is to be ready for Thursday,” Ruibal told the club’s official media. “I’m the one most eager to play in that match. In principle, there shouldn’t be any problem with me being available.”
Critical Period
The timing couldn’t be better for Betis, who are navigating what Ruibal describes as one of the “most important periods” of the season. January and February are proving particularly challenging with the Verdiblancos still competing on three fronts despite an injury list longer than the Northern Line.
A win against Feyenoord would secure Betis a spot in the top eight of the Europa League, allowing them to skip the playoff round - a massive bonus considering their current squad situation. As Ruibal points out:
- Avoiding two extra fixtures would be crucial given player fatigue
- There are significant financial benefits for the club
- The squad is already stretched with numerous players accumulating heavy minutes
Fan Connection
Ruibal, who recently celebrated his 200th appearance for Betis, was quick to acknowledge the importance of supporter backing during this challenging period. He described the sensation of having “60,000 crazy fans pulling for you” as something that pushes players beyond their physical limits.
The 28-year-old’s journey at Betis is quite the Barney Rubble (trouble) to success story. After loan spells that put his future at the club in doubt, he’s developed into one of Pellegrini’s most dependable players, with his versatility proving priceless during the current injury crisis.
“If someone had told me back in Marbella in 2020 that I’d reach 200 games for Betis, I wouldn’t have believed them,” Ruibal reflected. “At the end of that match, Antonio Cordón told me ‘lad, you’re staying here’. Being here seven years later with 200 matches under my belt is something to be grateful for.”