Betis competes with Chelsea in Conference League: Isco's 'veteran' dance

Real Betis are confident of playing the Conference League final against Chelsea thanks to the support of Isco, who returned to the Spanish national team after 6 years.

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Isco 's trophy cabinet includes four Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and a host of Super Cups.

However, those successes almost belonged to “another life”, in which he did not always play a key role.

Isco is the symbol of Betis. Photo: EFE

Therefore, Isco is dreaming of winning the Conference League championship with Real Betis , when entering the final against Chelsea in Poland (2am on May 29).

For the former Real Madrid man, it was a challenge he particularly relished, with a “new Isco” inspiring Betis to reach a European final for the first time in their 118-year history.

Betis and coach Manuel Pellegrini have been instrumental in reviving Isco, after a period of serious injury and affecting his ball sense. In contrast, he plays an irreplaceable role as a leader at the Sevilla team.

The faith that Betis fans have in Isco is absolute. Right from the beginning, after a noisy time at neighbours Sevilla, they still welcomed him.

Of course, there was a bit of skepticism when Isco arrived at Benito Villamarin. However, after a short time, he won over everyone's hearts.

Isco is an icon on and off the pitch. With 12 goals – a team-leading 10 assists – he is experiencing his “second youth” at 33. This is perhaps the second peak of his career.

It was not until his second season at Real Madrid, 2016/17, under Zinedine Zidane, that a similar influence was seen. Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas nicknamed him “Magia”, a name he had tattooed on his bicep.

Isco plays beautiful football. Photo: EFE

Pellegrini's belief and belief in himself is the key to the revival. The Chilean coach brought Isco to the light 12 years ago.

“I wanted to bring him to Man City, but Real Madrid came in between,” Pellegrini revealed. For Isco, he is special: “He is my football father.”

Physical changes

Despite his confidence, Pellegrini is unlikely to convince Betis to sign Isco in the summer of 2023.

Previously, in 2022, he left Real Madrid to join Sevilla at Lopetegui's request, but he was soon fired.

A clash with sporting director Monchi – currently at Aston Villa – saw Isco set to move to Union Berlin in January 2023, but the deal collapsed on transfer deadline day.

Isco, without a club, focused all his attention on his physical transformation, spending months training in the gym and on the pitch – at San Fernando’s facilities (a third-tier club) or even in his own garden.

He did not allow himself to rest, and became more agile: improving by 4 seconds per 100 meters. Thanks to that, his football talent was further developed.

Even Betis could not have expected that, so they only signed a one-year contract, with an option to extend if he played at least 45 minutes in 25 matches.

Isco and Antony played well together. Photo: EFE

But Pellegrini is confident: “When I spoke to Isco, I knew he really wanted this challenge and he has proven it, not only with his performances on the pitch but also in terms of physicality and leadership.”

Just six months later, having become a team icon, Betis extended his contract until 2027.

In May 2024, he broke his fibula. Four months later, he was forced to undergo another operation, missing the first 15 rounds of La Liga and the entire Conference League group stage.

Isco returned on December 7, against Barca. By January, he was irreplaceable, along with Antony, as important attacking stars. Thanks to that, after 6 years, he returned to Spain for the UEFA Nations League semi-finals.

“I want this challenge, with my form and leadership role,” Isco confided. He wants to beat Chelsea to make history with Betis in the Conference League.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/betis-va-chelsea-tranh-conference-league-vu-dieu-gia-gan-isco-2405707.html