La Liga 2017/18: Real Madrid 0-1 Real Betis, 5 Talking Points

#4 Quique Setien deserves huge credit

Real Madrid v Real Betis - La Liga

One look at the lineups ahead of the game, and one could have assumed that Quique Setien had already given up the ghost and accepted the thrashing that many predicted would ensue. The Betis manager had dropped his best players in the league so far, with all of Sergio Leon, Joaquin and Andres Guardado left on the bench.

However, Setien had a plan:

2 - Antonio #Sanabria has played twice at Bernabéu stadium, scoring in both games (4 shots on target). Hero. https://t.co/SpyqeJ6hrF

— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) September 20, 2017

While Cristian Tello and Francis Guerrero did not have the best of games, along with Tony Sanabria, they were full of running, chasing long balls and never offering Madrid's defence a moments rest. Channels were cut in the middle, with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric misplacing their passes, and when Madrid were forced out wide, Carvajal and Marcelo were comfortably blocked.

Setien had his players indulge in the dark arts too - Mandi and Barragan were ever eager to waste time while going down injured, further breaking up Madrid's rhythm.

It was the perfectly designed away victory, and Betis managed to defeat the mighty Madrid at the Bernabeu for the first time since 1998.

They truly deserved to celebrate like this:

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— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis) September 20, 2017