Real Betis squad for Trofeo Ciudad de Granada announced with Deossa included despite paperwork error
Real Betis squad for Trofeo Ciudad de Granada named for the July 25, 2026 fixture: Nelson Deossa is included despite a club paperwork error, while Antony and Isco remain absent. Pellegrini confirmed the matchday group for the 20:00 kickoff at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.
Pellegrini includes Deossa in matchday squad despite paperwork error
Manuel Pellegrini confirmed his travelling party to Granada on Saturday, July 25, 2026, and the Real Betis squad contains one name that briefly vanished from the club’s initial announcement. Nelson Deossa appears on the official list despite an administrative mistake that omitted his name from the first communication released via the club’s channels.
The inclusion underlines that Deossa remains part of the first-team picture while transfer discussions continue, and the coach has opted to make him available for the Trofeo Ciudad de Granada. The decision signals that, although a loan move has been widely reported, the club retains the player’s services until any deal is finalized.
Loan negotiations with Vasco da Gama remain unresolved
Betis and Vasco da Gama have been negotiating the terms of a loan with an option to buy for Nelson Deossa, but talks have been delayed by complications at the Brazilian club. The proposed structure discussed by both parties reportedly includes a loan fee and a purchase clause that could become compulsory if agreed sporting criteria are met, with the potential transfer fee estimated at around €12.5 million.
Those financial mechanics suggest Betis could secure a sizable fee should the conditions be fulfilled, but the final wording of any mandatory trigger remains to be confirmed. With Deossa listed for Granada, it appears the clubs have yet to finalize the paperwork or reach the operational milestones that would shift the midfielder out of Pellegrini’s immediate plans.
Antony and Isco sit out as fitness plans continue
Antony will not travel to Granada after joining the squad’s earlier training stage late with the club’s permission and following a tailored fitness program. The Brazilian missed the team’s first friendly in Germany and did not feature at the Trofeo Colombino, and while he has rejoined group work in Seville, he is not yet considered match-ready.
Isco Alarcón is also absent from the matchday list as he continues a controlled rehabilitation plan for lingering ankle discomfort following his last injury. The Malaga-born midfielder is on a load-managed training schedule designed to reduce pain and reintroduce him gradually, so the coaching staff for now prefer to protect his long-term availability rather than force an early return.
Youth prospects and squad depth emphasized for Granada test
Pellegrini has handed opportunities to several academy graduates for the Granada fixture, promoting a crop of youngsters to the travelling party for competitive exposure. Gnangoro, Rica, Corralejo, Borja Alonso and Morante join the more established young options Pablo García and Ortiz, reflecting a policy of integrating homegrown talent into pre-season fixtures.
This selection provides match experience to promising players while allowing the coach to assess squad depth across a condensed pre-season calendar. Third goalkeeper Manu González is not included in this trip, a tactical choice that keeps the two primary goalkeepers in the group while giving other squad members minutes in the coming friendlies.
Full squad breakdown for the Trofeo Ciudad de Granada
The matchday group for the Trofeo Ciudad de Granada features Álvaro Valles and Diego Conde as the two goalkeepers, providing Pellegrini with experience and reliability between the posts. The defensive contingent includes Héctor Bellerín, Ortiz, Marc Bartra, Diego Llorente, Natan, Valentín Gómez, Junior Firpo and Fran García, offering a mix of pace, ball-playing ability and positional versatility.
Midfield options list Gnangoro, Marc Roca, Facundo Bernal, Nelson Deossa, Rica, Corralejo, Pablo Fornals, Iker Losada, Riquelme and Borja Alonso, a group blending established internationals, rotation players and emerging prospects. Up front, the forward line for the encounter comprises Pablo García, Morante and Gonzalo Petit, giving Pellegrini several tactical profiles to probe Granada’s defence.
Season planning: return to Seville and Marbella stage outlined
After the Trofeo Ciudad de Granada, Real Betis will return to Seville and observe a rest day before departing for a second training stage in Marbella, where two further friendlies are scheduled. The Marbella stage is intended to push the team’s physical preparation and tactical work ahead of the competitive season, with fixtures against Olympique Lyonnais and Almería planned to test the squad at varying levels.
Álvaro Fidalgo, who represented Mexico at the recent World Cup, is expected back in Marbella and available for selection during the second stage, bolstering midfield options once he completes his reintegration. Pellegrini will also monitor the recovery of Abde, who has progressed to running on grass and appears to be advancing at a steady pace, and Aitor Ruibal, who still requires several more weeks to return fully to group training.
Tactical implications and what Pellegrini may experiment with in Granada
The composition of the Real Betis squad for Granada allows Pellegrini to experiment with different defensive pairings and midfield balances without exposing his core starters to unnecessary risk. The mix of senior defenders and young full-backs provides the manager options to test wide defensive rotations and central partnerships ahead of the season opener.
In midfield, the presence of both experienced players such as Marc Roca and versatile youngsters like Iker Losada means Betis can trial possession patterns and transitional press schemes. Up front, the trial of young forwards alongside rotation options will give the staff insight into who can supply consistent attacking output in the early competitive fixtures.
The match against Granada will serve as a controlled environment to evaluate fitness levels, tactical adherence and the readiness of players returning from international duty or injury. Pellegrini’s selections suggest a deliberate balance between achieving competitive sharpness and protecting long-term fitness across a demanding pre-season.
Real Betis travel to Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes on July 25, 2026 with a squad assembled to advance preparation, integrate youth, and keep transfer flexibility intact. The club’s handling of Deossa’s inclusion, the ongoing loan talks, and the measured management of Antony and Isco will all be central storylines as Betis continue their build-up toward the new campaign.
