Bakambu Scores in Back-to-Back Games for First Time in Over Eight Years

Cédric Bakambu is suddenly looking like a man reborn at Real Betis — and the timing couldn’t be more interesting given everything that’s gone on this winter.

Back in the Good Books

His return to La Cartuja was always going to be a bit tasty. Bakambu had been at the centre of some proper controversy after choosing to stay at Betis rather than move on in January, and the Betis faithful weren’t exactly sending him Valentine’s cards. But football has a funny way of sorting things out, and the Congolese striker did his talking on the pitch — netting the goal that earned Betis a point against Rayo Vallecano in what had been a frustrating afternoon overall.

A draw felt like a bit of a swindle given how the game had set up for the home side, with some dodgy refereeing decisions and a stubborn Rayo side making life difficult. Still, a point’s a point, and Bakambu’s contribution went a long way towards smoothing things over with the supporters.

The 100-Month Stat That’ll Make Your Head Spin

Here’s where it gets properly mental. That goal against Rayo meant Bakambu had scored in consecutive La Liga matches — something he hadn’t managed in the Spanish top flight since October 2017, nearly 100 months ago. Back then he was at Villarreal, banging in a hat-trick against Eibar, a brace against Girona, and then one against Las Palmas across three straight matchdays. That remains his best scoring run in La Liga.

To put that in perspective:

• He scored in three consecutive league games back in 2017-18
• He’s now matched two on the bounce for the first time since
• He’s doing it at 34 years of age, which is no joke

Cucho’s Return Complicates Things

The wrinkle in all of this is that Cucho Hernández came back from injury at half-time against Rayo, replacing Bakambu. The Colombian had been out for just over a month and looked sharp on his return. With the Seville derby on Sunday, it seems unlikely Bakambu will start — Cucho is apparently in the frame to come straight back into Pellegrini’s XI.

Bakambu is also carrying some minor physical niggles, which adds another layer of uncertainty. Ruibal is also a doubt after picking up a muscle problem following a heavy challenge from Mendy.

Closing In on Betis History

One thing worth noting — Bakambu’s tally now sits at 15 goals for the club, putting him level with some genuine Betis names:

• Denilson
• Ayoze
• Beñat
• Cucho Hernández (who reached that mark in just a year)

He’s edging towards the club’s all-time top 100 scorers list, which for a bloke who spent most of his career in China and the Premier League, is a decent little footnote to have.

Whether he starts the derby or not, Bakambu’s found his mojo at exactly the right moment. Don’t sleep on him.