Pointed out after last Sunday’s derby, in which Sevilla beat Betis due to their errors in the two goals scored by Nervión, Pellegrini had no doubts with Claudio Bravo. “He and ten more will play,” he said in the preview of the Cup semifinal against Rayo. The rotations in the goal had worked for the Betis coach throughout the season and he was not going to change his plan. Little did it matter that Bravo had not played since he was injured on January 28 in the duel between Chile and Argentina.
And the truth is that Claudio Bravo had no job during most of the match, except to go out to clear a corner and be attentive to abort Rayista attacks by advancing his position. Until the 80th minute came and Baby’s free kick goal. A goal in which the Rayo player has undoubted merit, but in which Bravo also failed. First, not placing the barrier well and, second, not reaching a shot that, no matter how strong it was, came from very far and entered through the post he was defending.
With the spotlight on him, Bravo redeemed himself by doing with his feet what he couldn’t with his hands. Because Borja Iglesias’ Betis equalizer was preceded by a great unchecking by Canales that Joaquín saw with a masterful pass. But the ball reached the man from Porto thanks to a magnificent long pass from Bravo. The party broke out at Villamarín and on April 23 in the final at La Cartuja, no one will remember Bravo’s decision.
Pellegrini’s bet was again a winner. Now it remains to be seen if he keeps Bravo as a starter on Sunday against Atlético, although everything indicates that it will be Rui Silva’s turn to defend the Betis goal.
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