Ezzalzouli's Absence: Betis's Tactical Puzzle and the Trap of Misinformation

A sports article recently claimed that Jose Mourinho was "relieved" by Ezzalzouli's absence, and that the winger had "beaten Trent Alexander-Arnold" in their last meeting. Both details are wrong. Mourinho left Real Madrid in 2026, and Alexander-Arnold has never played for the Royal club. Yet the article was published, and thousands of fans read it before realizing the absurdity. This is no joke. It is a symptom of a chronic disease in modern sports journalism: chasing clickbait, disregarding truth. And the match between Real Betis and Real Madrid on September 14 is the latest victim of this disease. The match at Benito Villamarín is seen as Real Madrid's first major test of the season. Carlo Ancelotti's team (who replaced Mourinho long ago) has had a good start, but a trip to Seville is always a tough challenge. Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini is worried about losing key attacker Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. The Moroccan player had just recovered from injury, then caught a viral infection that ruled him out. Pellegrini confirmed this in a press conference. Ezzalzouli's absence forces Betis to find a replacement, and the most mentioned name is Rodrigo Riquelme, a former Atletico Madrid player who has impressed with 2 goals in 3 rounds. But can Riquelme fully replace what Ezzalzouli brings? The answer is not as simple as many articles suggest. Ezzalzouli is a winger who excels at dribbling and creating chances in 1v1 situations. Last season, he was one of Betis's top chance creators. His presence helps the team stretch the opponent's defense, especially on the left flank. Without him, Betis loses a key weapon to exploit space behind the opponent's right-back. Riquelme, in contrast, is more of a finisher, moving intelligently rather than dribbling. This completely changes Betis's attacking structure. Instead of trying to beat defenders in one-on-ones, Betis may shift to a more direct style, relying on Riquelme's finishing. But is that enough to break down Real Madrid's defense? Based on my experience watching matches, I believe replacing a dribbler with a finisher is never a neutral substitution. It changes the whole approach to the game. Looking at the numbers, Riquelme has 2 goals in 3 rounds, but that's a small sample. Meanwhile, Ezzalzouli, though without a goal this season, was Betis's top chance creator last season. The difference between a "creator" and a "scorer" is huge. If Betis relies only on Riquelme's finishing without a dribbler to stretch the defense, they may fall into a deadlock. I have seen many teams lose creativity when losing a key player to injury, and they often pay the price with disappointing draws. Money flows beneath every match; I've waded down to count every coin. But here, the issue isn't money, it's tactical value. Speaking of finances, Ezzalzouli's absence also raises questions about his transfer value. The Moroccan was bought from Barcelona for around €7.5 million. Recurring injuries and now a viral infection mean he can't play regularly. This reduces his market value. If this continues, Betis will struggle to sell him at a high price in the future. This is a financial risk that few articles mention. They only care about who wins or loses, forgetting that modern football is an industry where a player's health is also an asset. Every transfer contract buries a piece of truth. And the truth here is: a player who is often injured will never have high value on the transfer market. Betis's biggest risk is not losing Ezzalzouli, but relying too much on one player. If Riquelme doesn't perform as expected, Betis will be in trouble. They don't have many quality backup options. This shows a lack of squad depth, a chronic problem for mid-tier La Liga teams. Real Madrid also has its own risks. Facing a team hungry for points with home advantage always carries danger. But with a far superior squad, they are still rated higher. The most worrying thing in this story is the quality of information. The article I mentioned at the start is not an isolated case. It reflects a sad trend: many sports sites are willing to publish false information to attract clicks. They don't verify sources or cross-check facts. This seriously damages reader trust. I've been in this profession for over 20 years, and I've never seen such a mess. Young reporters often copy-paste from foreign sites without checking. They forget that journalism is a profession requiring accuracy and responsibility. But let's look from another angle. Maybe Ezzalzouli's absence is an opportunity for Betis to try a new style. Riquelme is in good form, and he could take advantage of Real Madrid's attention on Ezzalzouli (if they still think he'll play) to surprise them. Football doesn't always follow logic. Sometimes, a forced change brings positive results. I've seen many teams play better when losing their star, because they have to play more collectively. So don't rush to conclude Betis will be weaker. Let's wait. The match between Betis and Real Madrid will take place at Benito Villamarín. But the bigger question isn't the score, but whether we can trust what we read in sports journalism. When basic errors like confusing coaches and players are published, the value of an entire press is questioned. Are we being led by junk information? And if so, do the tactical analyses and deep commentaries we read daily still have meaning? I don't have an answer. But I know that in football, as in journalism, truth is the most expensive thing. The head-to-head history is also notable. Last season, at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid and Betis drew 1-1. Bellerin's late equalizer in the 94th minute saved Betis a point. In that match, Ezzalzouli caused many problems for Real Madrid's defense, especially right-back Carvajal. He completed 5 dribbles and created 3 chances. That shows his importance in big matches. Now, without him, Betis must find other ways to break through Real Madrid's defense. For Real Madrid, Ancelotti usually uses a 4-3-3 with the attacking trio of Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo. The defense includes Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy. They are strong in zonal defense, but sometimes leave space behind the full-backs when they push forward. If Betis has fast wingers, they can exploit that. But Riquelme is not a speedster; he relies on technique and finishing. So Betis may play slower, control possession more, and wait for set-piece opportunities. Riquelme, 24, was once highly rated at Atletico Madrid but couldn't compete for a spot. He moved to Betis on loan or permanently? (unclear). He has a good right-foot shot, often scoring from outside the box. However, his dribbling and creativity are inferior to Ezzalzouli. He also lacks explosive pace. So this substitution will make Betis lose unpredictability in attack. This match is crucial for both teams. Real Madrid are competing for the title with Barcelona. A loss to Betis could leave them behind in the race. So Ancelotti will field his strongest lineup. Betis, meanwhile, are targeting a Champions League spot. A positive result against Real Madrid would be a huge morale boost. But if they lose, they still have many matches to recover. Pressure is on Pellegrini. He is an experienced coach, having managed Real Madrid. He knows how to deal with his former club. However, losing a key player forces him to think carefully. If Betis lose, the media may criticize him for not finding a good replacement. But if Betis get a point, he will be praised for his flexibility. Ezzalzouli is also an important player for Morocco. His frequent absences due to injury and illness affect his form when on international duty. Coach Walid Regragui will worry about his fitness before major tournaments. This also affects his transfer value. The virus issue in football is also worth discussing. Teams often face epidemics, especially in winter. Viruses can spread quickly in a concentrated environment. Clubs need good preventive measures to avoid losing players. Betis didn't do well here, as Ezzalzouli caught the illness right after recovering from injury. This shows a lack of professionalism in the club's medical department. Major outlets like Marca, AS, Sport often report quickly but not always accurately. They rely on unofficial sources, leading to errors. In this case, the article confusing Mourinho and Alexander-Arnold is a typical example. This raises questions about editors' responsibility to verify information before publishing. According to Opta data, last season Ezzalzouli averaged 2.1 successful dribbles per match, creating 1.8 chances. Riquelme had only 0.8 successful dribbles and 0.9 chances created. The difference is clear. However, Riquelme has better shooting stats, with 1.4 shots per match compared to Ezzalzouli's 0.9. This shows they are different types of players, and the substitution will change Betis's style. Ezzalzouli's mentality is also a concern. He may feel frustrated by constant health issues. This could affect his spirit. Betis needs to provide psychological support to help him through this difficult period. Otherwise, he may lose confidence and form. Referee Mateu Lahoz, known for his strict style, will officiate. This could affect the match tempo, especially with midfield challenges. Betis must be careful in tackles to avoid unnecessary cards. The Benito Villamarín pitch is good, but Seville weather in September is still hot. This could affect players' stamina, especially in the second half. Real Madrid has a deeper squad, so they can use their physical advantage in the final minutes. Real Madrid has a good record at Betis. In the last 10 meetings there, Real Madrid won 6, drew 2, lost 2. This shows they have a knack for this ground. However, Betis also has good matches, like the 2-1 win in 2026. Betis may line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Riquelme on the left, Fekir as the playmaker, and Willian Jose up front. Real Madrid may use a 4-3-3 with Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo in attack. This will be an exciting match with many storylines. Betis has good headers like Pezzella and Bartra. They can use corners to score. Real Madrid also has tall players like Rudiger and Militao. The match could be decided by set pieces. Pellegrini could switch to a 4-4-2 with two strikers, or use Riquelme as a false nine. He could also push Fekir wide and put Riquelme in the middle. This flexibility could surprise Real Madrid. Other players like Fekir and Canales will need to take on more creative responsibility. They must play better to compensate for Ezzalzouli's absence. If they do, Betis can still perform well. Betis has had good matches against big teams. They have beaten Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in recent seasons. So nothing is impossible. If they play focused and get lucky, they can take points from Real Madrid. Ancelotti has prepared thoroughly for this match. He has shown his players videos of Betis's attacking patterns. He has also made tactical adjustments to counter the opponent. Real Madrid will not be complacent. The Benito Villamarín has a capacity of about 60,000. Home fans will create a passionate atmosphere, boosting Betis. This could pressure Real Madrid's young players. However, Real Madrid is used to playing in difficult stadiums. VAR will likely be used. This could affect key decisions like penalties and red cards. Teams must be careful in box challenges. If Ezzalzouli continues to have health issues, Betis may reconsider his future. They could sell him to recoup funds, or loan him out to regain form. This will be a difficult decision for the board. This season, La Liga has fierce competition among Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid. Every match matters. Betis is also competing with teams like Villarreal and Real Sociedad for fourth place. So they need points in big matches. False articles can spread quickly on social media, misleading fans. This requires verification before sharing. Players can also be affected by baseless rumors. I have followed Spanish football for years. I notice that matches between Betis and Real Madrid are often tense and unpredictable. Betis always plays with high spirit against big teams. So I predict this match will have goals, maybe 2-2 or 1-1. In football, luck always plays a role. A rebound, a referee decision can change the game. Betis must take their chances. Real Madrid also needs patience. Betis players must believe in themselves. They shouldn't fear Real Madrid's name. They need to play with maximum determination. If they do, they can surprise. Betis could play defensive counter-attacks. They will drop deep, protect the goal, and wait for fast breaks. Riquelme could lead these counters. He has a good long-range shot. Real Madrid has a very strong attack with Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo. They can score from any situation. Their defense is also solid with Rudiger and Militao. So Betis will face many difficulties. Real Madrid has a more balanced and experienced squad. Betis has home advantage and determination. This difference can be narrowed if Betis plays to their potential. I predict Real Madrid will win 2-1. They have superior class, but Betis will score one. However, if Betis plays well, they could hold on for a draw. Anything is possible. This match is not just a battle on the pitch, but also a battle against media inaccuracy. We must be alert to false information. Trust what we see on the field, not what others write.