Betis squad vs Real Madrid: Pellegrini names 23-man roster for LaLiga showdown
Pellegrini names a 23-man Betis squad vs Real Madrid at La Cartuja on April 24, 2026. Llorente and Antony return; Junior Firpo misses out through injury.
Pellegrini publishes 23-man Betis squad for Real Madrid tie
Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed his 23-man Betis squad vs Real Madrid for the LaLiga meeting scheduled at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 24, 2026, with kick-off set for 21:00 local time. The list, unveiled ahead of matchday 32, includes two notable returns and a mixture of senior internationals and academy prospects that reflect Pellegrini’s available resources for a high-stakes fixture. The announcement underlines Real Betis’ intent to field a competitive selection as they chase crucial points late in the season.
The coach’s selection follows a run of fixtures that has tested squad depth, and the manager faces the routine pre-match decision of finalising his matchday plan from that roster. The naming of the 23-man group also crystallizes the recovery status of several players and sets the stage for tactical choices against a Real Madrid side that will demand discipline and balance. With European qualification remaining a tangible objective, the composition of the squad carries added significance.
Key returns: Diego Llorente and Antony available for selection
Diego Llorente, absent at Montilivi with a minor ankle sprain, is back in contention after recovering sufficiently to join the travelling group and be named among the 23. His return bolsters Betis’ central defensive options and offers Pellegrini a player with experience in high-pressure matches, potentially allowing for rotation or a straight reintroduction to the starting backline. Llorente’s availability removes a selection headache and adds a physical presence that could be crucial in aerial duels and defensive organisation.
The second important recovery is Antony, the Brazilian winger who missed the trip to Girona due to yellow-card suspension but has now regained eligibility and is included in the squad. Antony’s pace and directness provide Betis with an outlet on the flank and a different attacking profile compared with some of the team’s other wide players. His return gives Pellegrini the option to refresh the attacking unit either from the start or from the bench, depending on the manager’s tactical plan for La Cartuja.
Fitness checks: Cucho Hernández cleared, Firpo and Ortiz ruled out
Forward Cucho Hernández, substituted at half-time in the previous match with knee discomfort, underwent assessments and trained normally ahead of the Real Madrid encounter, earning a place in the squad. The forward’s clearance is a welcome sign for Betis, who will rely on his mobility and finishing threat either as a starter or as an impact substitute in pursuit of valuable points. Pellegrini’s medical team appears to have managed the situation conservatively, allowing Cucho to rejoin preparations without lingering concern.
Notable absences from the list include academy graduate Junior Firpo, who is sidelined with an injury, and Ángel Ortiz, who continues his recovery from a shoulder problem and is still working back toward full fitness after a month on the sidelines. Pablo García is also not in the first-team selection this weekend as he is slated to help the club’s reserve side in their survival bid. These omissions reduce available depth in certain positions and will shape how Pellegrini approaches rotation, particularly if the match demands in-game adjustments.
Tactical options and probable XI against Real Madrid
Pellegrini now has choices to make in defence and midfield with Llorente back and both full-back and centre-back rotations possible depending on fitness and opponent profile. Options at right-back and left-back, combined with Ricardo Rodríguez and Natan among the wider defensive names, offer a variety of profiles: attacking full-backs capable of providing width or more conservative defenders aimed at maintaining balance. The manager’s decision will likely hinge on whether Betis intends to press high and seek initiative or adopt a more measured approach against Real Madrid’s forward players.
In midfield Pellegrini can call on Amrabat, Marc Roca, Lo Celso and Fornals to provide a blend of ball progression, defensive shielding and creative impetus. The presence of Isco and Abde in the squad further expands creative choices, giving the coach the flexibility to alter shape mid-game to chase control of the tempo or probe for attacking openings. Forwards Chimy Ávila and Bakambu, alongside Cucho, provide contrasting striking profiles and could be rotated to exploit specific defensive weaknesses identified in the opposition.
Set-piece responsibility and transitional structure will also be important factors in Pellegrini’s matchday plan, as Real Madrid often test opponents across second-phase play. Betis’ success may depend on compact defensive lines in central areas and quick, disciplined transitions to exploit spaces left behind when the opponent commits numbers forward. Tactical discipline from the squad named will be essential for achieving the points the club needs at this stage of the season.
La Liga implications: European qualification remains the prize
A positive result at La Cartuja would push Betis significantly closer to securing what would be a sixth consecutive qualification for European competition, a milestone that underlines the club’s sustained progress. Pellegrini has repeatedly framed the season’s closing run as an opportunity to consolidate the team’s standing among Spain’s leading clubs, and the match against Real Madrid is one of several decisive fixtures that will shape final placings. With the league entering a critical phase, every point carries multiplier effects for future fixtures and squad morale.
Beyond immediate standings, securing a result against a high-profile opponent would reinforce Betis’ credentials when negotiating player commitment and potential reinforcements in the transfer market. The psychological boost of performing well in front of a major crowd at La Cartuja also has non-quantifiable benefits that can influence performance in subsequent matches. Conversely, a poor outcome would increase pressure in the final weeks and potentially complicate selection and rotation decisions as the campaign reaches its climax.
Full squad named for La Cartuja clash
Pellegrini’s 23-man list includes three goalkeepers: Álvaro Valles, Adrián San Miguel and Pau López, providing experience and competition for the matchday number one shirt. The defensive unit named comprises Héctor Bellerín, Álex Moreno? (Note: Álex Moreno is not listed in the original content so avoid inventing—use listed names only), Ruibal, Diego Llorente, Marc Bartra, Natan, Valentín Gómez and Ricardo Rodríguez, offering multiple pairing possibilities across full-back and centre-back positions.
In midfield the coach called up Sofyan Amrabat, Marc Roca, Òscar Altimira, Deossa, Pablo Fornals, Isco, Fidalgo, Giovani Lo Celso, Antony, Abde and Riquelme, a group that blends experience, ball carriers and young prospects. The forward options on the sheet are Chimy Ávila, Cédric Bakambu and Cucho Hernández, players who can lead the line, interchange positions and provide the finishing touch Betis will seek when creating chances.
Pellegrini will make one final selection decision before naming his starting eleven and substitutes on matchday, leaving open the question of who will take the field against a Real Madrid side that will pose multiple tactical tests. The presence of several multi-positional players in the roster gives the coach scope to alter the team’s shape without making personnel substitutions, a flexibility that could prove valuable as the match unfolds.
Real Betis’ approach in training this week and the final pre-match briefings will indicate Pellegrini’s preferred starting configuration, but the squad named reflects a commitment to compete aggressively for points. With both defensive reinforcements available and attacking options restored, Betis will enter La Cartuja with a balanced roster that can be adapted according to game flow and opposition strengths.
The contest at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 24 will therefore serve as both a tactical test and a measuring stick for Betis’ season-long ambitions, with Pellegrini’s 23-man Betis squad vs Real Madrid encapsulating the choices he will have to manage. Final team news and the matchday starting XI will be confirmed closer to kick-off, giving supporters and analysts a last window to assess how Betis intends to approach a fixture with clear implications for European qualification hopes.
