Friendly: Real Betis vs Lyon, a Champions League-level test for Pellegrini

Betis faces Olympique Lyon this afternoon (20:00) in the Trofeo Ciudad de La Línea. It will be a Champions-level test to gauge the progress of a green-and-white team that left some certainties and many doubts in its recent summer friendlies, especially after the defeat against Granada last weekend. Today's match will be extremely demanding: their opponent will play a tie against Sparta Prague in a few days to secure a definitive spot in the Champions League League Phase.

It remains to be seen whether Paulo Fonseca's team will go all out in this match against the green-and-whites, but their preparation seems focused on that plan to secure a place in the top European competition, and many of their players have match fitness. The market brought them reinforcements like Bidstrup or Duranville, while the good level of 18-year-old young striker Rémi Himbert stands out. A tough test for Pellegrini to further assess his team's form this summer.

The Chilean coach expects more reinforcements from the sporting directorate, but he wants the performance of some of his pieces to start showing on the pitch. Players destined to leave, such as Gonzalo Petit or Nelson Deossa, remain in the picture. Also a handful of academy players aiming to earn the right to more. This is the case of Morante, who will get minutes again after being one of the starters in the match against Granada.

One of the focuses will be on the signings, with Fran García and Facundo Bernal already showing glimpses of what they can contribute to the Betis team. But the summer debut of Antony is also expected: the Brazilian did special work during the summer to avoid the discomfort he had to suffer for much of last season due to pubalgia. In recent days, he has trained with relative normality alongside the group.

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It will be a Betis-Lyon match with a common thread: Nabil Fekir. The Frenchman played for both teams, being a key piece in the growth of both clubs in recent years, both for his rising role in that brilliant Champions League Lyon and for the leadership he had in the Betis team that won the Copa del Rey in 2022.

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Publication date: July 28, 2026 — 22:05 CEST Updated on: July 29, 2026 — 00:05 CEST Author: Daniel Lagos — AS reporter in Seville About the author: Reporter for Diario AS in the Seville office. He covers the latest news on Real Betis and Sevilla FC, as well as reporting on other local sports disciplines. Holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Seville.