Real Betis have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, reaching nine points with victory over Feyenoord as Isco again supplied the decisive touch. The captain converted a penalty against the Dutch side to take his tally to four goals, underlining how quickly he has reasserted himself at the centre of Manuel Pellegrini’s European plans.
Key takeaways
- Betis have collected nine points from their opening Champions League fixtures.
- Isco scored the penalty that settled the match against Feyenoord and now has four goals.
- Pellegrini said the midfielder is improving physically after his minutes were carefully managed.
- Dani Ceballos described Isco as the finest player he has seen, saying he remains the difference-maker.
- Isco had been rested for the match against Barcelona before returning to lead Betis in Europe.
Isco returns to the heart of Betis’ European run
The win over Feyenoord brought another European night shaped by Isco. Having gradually increased his involvement, the Málaga-born midfielder showed again that his quality has not diminished, taking responsibility from the spot and guiding Betis to another important result.
Pellegrini has long believed that the midfielder could return at his best if his workload was handled with care. The Betis coach praised both the player’s level and his influence around the squad, saying: “It is difficult for Isco not to perform at this standard because his ability is exceptional. We have managed him well and he is much better now. He gives us so much, on and off the pitch.”
The manager’s approach will remain cautious. Although Isco’s fitness is responding well and his playing time is growing, Pellegrini intends to continue measuring his efforts ahead of the second half of the season, when Betis’ biggest targets will come into sharper focus.
Ceballos sees a player still capable of deciding matches
Dani Ceballos shared part of the Feyenoord contest with Isco and was equally emphatic afterwards about the midfielder’s standing. The pair’s appearance together gave Betis another experienced presence in a match that extended their winning European start.
Ceballos, himself a Champions League winner, said there was never any doubt among those close to Isco that he would recover from a difficult spell. “Nobody needs to introduce Isco now,” he said. “There was a period of uncertainty, but those of us who know him were sure he would return. He will set his own ceiling. He is the best player I have seen, and whether he is carrying pain or not, he is the one who makes the difference.”
For Betis, the immediate reward is a nine-point Champions League haul. For Pellegrini, the larger task is to preserve the captain whose return has given their European campaign its defining figure.
