Betis battling on despite injury crisis as Fajardo backs depleted squad
Sporting director Manu Fajardo highlights Betis' resilience in maintaining European push despite missing key players like Isco and Cucho Hernández.
Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo has praised his squad’s resilience as they continue challenging for European spots despite an injury list longer than the queue at Heathrow security.
Injury Crisis Deepens
Speaking to DAZN ahead of their crucial away fixture at Son Moix against Mallorca, Fajardo didn’t mince his words about the impact of missing several first-team regulars:
“If you take the most important players away from any team, they’ll suffer,” he explained, pointing to the absence of creative maestro Isco, Cucho Hernández, Giovani Lo Celso, Héctor Bellerín and Sofyan Amrabat.
Despite these setbacks, Los Verdiblancos have somehow managed to keep their European dreams alive, currently sitting fifth in La Liga with a chance to create some breathing room from the chasing pack with a win.
Squad Depth Proving Crucial
Fajardo highlighted the summer recruitment strategy as key to their continued competitiveness:
- The “balanced squad” assembled last summer has prevented them from dropping out of European contention
- Victory against Mallorca would strengthen their position in the top six
- Betis are also performing in Europe, sitting fourth in their Europa League group
Pellegrini: The Special One in Seville
The sporting director saved special praise for manager Manuel Pellegrini, whose steady hand has guided the club through choppy waters:
“After so many years, he’s still there, doing a fantastic job,” Fajardo beamed about the Chilean gaffer.
He described Pellegrini as “an important link in a chain” that includes the board, sporting department, marketing team and others all “working at 200%” to keep Betis competitive on multiple fronts.
With the business end of the season approaching, Betis fans will be hoping their injury fortune takes a turn for the better as they chase European qualification – something that would be a proper Bobby Dazzler given their personnel challenges.