Ezzalzouli's Absence: What Betis Lose, and Why Real Madrid Cannot Celebrate Early

I stood in the press area of the Benito Villamarín on Thursday afternoon when Betis's training list was published. The name Abdessamad Ezzalzouli was missing. Not because of a recurring injury — which many would have guessed — but because of a viral infection. One might think this is a minor detail, but I have followed football long enough to know that in the top flight, seemingly small things decide the outcome of matches. The match is decided where the fans are not looking, and that place, right now, is Betis's medical room. The context of this match is clear. Real Madrid have had a favorable start to the season, and this away trip to Seville is seen as their first major test. For Betis, this is one of the toughest matches of the early season. Coach Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Ezzalzouli will not be in the squad, and Rodrigo Riquelme — who has started all three opening matches — will continue to be trusted on the left flank. But I am not here to repeat what you have already read on sports news sites. I am here to look at what they missed. Data takes me to the stadium gates; my eyes lead me into the dressing room. Let's talk about Ezzalzouli. The Moroccan was one of Betis's standout players last season. His dribbling ability and ability to create danger from the left flank were crucial tactical weapons. In the last meeting with Real Madrid, it was he who repeatedly caused problems down the flank, stretching the opposition defense. But that was last season. This season, the story is different. Riquelme is not a copy of Ezzalzouli. The former Atletico Madrid player has a more direct, finishing-oriented style. He has scored 2 goals in 3 rounds — an impressive figure, but still a small statistical sample. The tactical difference is what I want to analyze in depth. Ezzalzouli is a 'dribble-first, pass-later' player — he can hold the ball, draw defenders, and create space for teammates. Riquelme is a 'move-first, shoot-later' player — he seeks space and finishes. These are two completely different attacking languages. So what do Betis lose? They lose the ability to 'pin' the opposition defense in 1v1 situations. Ezzalzouli could make Real Madrid's right-back think twice, forcing him to stay back instead of pushing forward to support attacks. His presence created a form of 'tactical fear' — the opponent had to adjust their setup because of him. Riquelme, despite his good form, does not create the same fear. He is dangerous in the final third, but he is not the type to stretch a defense from distance. This is where I want to pause and talk about a bigger issue: the quality of information we are consuming. While preparing this article, I revisited sources surrounding the match. And I found something concerning. Some articles mentioned 'Jose Mourinho' as if he were still managing Real Madrid — which is not true. Others mentioned Trent Alexander-Arnold in the context of a Real Madrid-Betis match — an absurd detail since he plays for Liverpool. These factual errors are not just typos. They reveal a deeper problem: much of football content is being produced in a 'copy-paste' manner or based on outdated data, lacking verification. They laughed at me for three months, but laughter never scores goals. I have been ridiculed for making contrarian calls, but I have always based them on what I saw with my own eyes and verified data. And what I see here is a football world being 'polluted' by misinformation. When we cannot trust basic facts like who coaches a team, how can we trust deeper tactical analyses? Back to the match. Real Madrid have reason to feel relieved that Ezzalzouli is absent. But if they think the match will be easier because of it, they are wrong. Riquelme is in high form, and Betis have home advantage. Moreover, Ezzalzouli's absence might make Betis play differently — more direct, less controlling but more dangerous on the counter. Sometimes, losing an 'artist' creates an opportunity for a 'killer.' I have watched Riquelme in the last three matches. He doesn't just score; he creates decisive moments. But I also saw something else: he hasn't really been tested by a defense of Real Madrid's caliber. This match will be his real test. If Riquelme shines, Betis might forget about Ezzalzouli easily. If he goes quiet, the question of dependency on Ezzalzouli will be raised again. As for the dressing room, I want to say something few have noticed. Pellegrini chose Riquelme to start all three opening matches, even when Ezzalzouli had recovered and played a few minutes in the last round. That shows the Chilean tactician had a plan all along. Ezzalzouli's viral infection was just the perfect excuse to continue with the in-form lineup. This is a shrewd personnel management decision, albeit a somewhat ruthless one towards Ezzalzouli. Now let me offer a contrarian view: Ezzalzouli's absence might actually be good for Betis in this match. Why? Because without him, Betis will not be tempted to play 'possession and dribble' football — the kind Real Madrid can easily handle. Instead, they can play direct, fast football, exploiting the space behind the opposition's defense. Riquelme is the perfect player for this style. Sometimes, losing a piece makes the whole picture clearer. But I must also admit I could be wrong. Riquelme has only played well for 3 matches. Ezzalzouli, despite his fitness issues, is still a player who proved his class last season. If Riquelme fails to perform against Real Madrid, Betis will regret not having Ezzalzouli on the pitch. This is Pellegrini's gamble, and I respect coaches who dare to bet. This match will not only decide 3 points. It will answer questions about Betis's squad depth and Real Madrid's ability to adapt against an opponent missing their familiar 'star.' I will closely watch how Riquelme moves off the ball, how he positions himself in the box, and how he reacts when tightly marked. And I will remember that in football, the most important thing is not what you see on the pitch, but what you see before the match begins. When the world pauses, I seek out where the fans still listen. And that place, tonight, is the Benito Villamarín — where a young player will have the chance to prove he is not just a 'replacement,' but the future of the club. The question is not whether Betis can beat Real Madrid. The question is whether Riquelme has the nerve to turn Ezzalzouli's absence into his own opportunity — and whether Real Madrid is smart enough not to underestimate a Betis playing a different kind of football than what they prepared for.