Position: 7 – 57 points
Class: C
Record: 14-15-9
Goals scored: 48
Goals conceded: 45
Top Scorer: Willian Jose – 14
Top assistant: Isco – 9
Story of the season
Isco's season, in many ways. Making the move from Sevilla last season, Isco found his spark, and his flame burned, making Betis a must-watch through spells just for him. A terrible fixture list left them with just two wins from eight games, and they were still playing catch-up from there.
Even with the magic of Isco, great work from Marc Roca, a good Willian Jose, an excellent Chadi Riad, and an exciting Assane Diao, it was hard sledding for much of the campaign. After Manuel Pellegrini saw his centre-back Luiz Felipe sold without a replacement in September, it appeared he felt betrayed and unsatisfied with the resources given to him.
That was evident with the major rotations and subsequent exits in Europe at the hands of Rangers, Dinamo Zagreb and Alaves in the cup competitions. Isco continued to guide Betis to a European finish, but until Ayoze Perez finished, only he and Willian Jose produced goals.
The fading of Diao, the sweet recovery of Nabil Fekir, and the debut season of Ez Abde lowered its roof. Injuries to Guido Rodriguez, Bartra and Isco prevented them from hoping for anything more than the last European place, although they were in it until the end.
Betis have left Pellegrini very short in terms of squad depth for three competitions, and that has shown, but equally the Chilean couldn't get the best out of Abde, Luiz Henrique and William Carvalho didn't help his cause.
Betis in some ways did the least, qualifying for Europe, but that consistency is also valuable, especially for finances. The lack of effort in the cup competitions, and the single win over another top-half team in their last 12 games spoke to a season in which they were a little further away from La Real. Not a bad season, just not a good one.
Outstanding moment: Win 2-1 at Valencia. Final stretch of the season, a late comeback with a winner from Ayoze Perez 14 minutes from time.
Key player: Isco – how could it be anyone else. Full of magic and invention, a joy to watch.
Seasonal surprise: Already on the move at Crystal Palace, Chadi Riad showed his quality from almost minute one, and the highlight came in an excellent performance at the Benito Villamarin against Real Madrid.
Glass half full
Betis should definitely have a more balanced and deeper squad next season. This is the key problem. If Abde can settle better, and Diao can resume progress, they have some good attacking options. They could not have dreamed that Isco would be so good, Johnny Cardoso has adapted perfectly and is ready for the next season. There are pieces here, Betis just need to bring out their best, and give Pellegrini some options.
Glass half empty
Fekir continues to look below par, Abde doesn't seem to have won the affection of Pellegrini, and they will probably lose Rodriguez too. Pellegrini could just explode if Betis don't give him a strong squad, and an already tight squad will face the absence. Betis need to open the windows and freshen things up, but there are no signs that they will need to.
