Title: Al-Ittihad Falls to Real Betis in Pre-Season Friendly

In a recent pre-season friendly, Al-Ittihad faced a challenging defeat against Spanish side Real Betis,

losing 4-1 on Saturday. This match marked the fourth loss for Al-Ittihad in their training camp, with the latest

and heaviest defeat occurring at the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville, Spain.

Real Betis took the lead early in the game, with a goal from Spanish winger Aitor Ruibal in the 24th minute.

Al-Ittihad’s new French winger, Moussa Diaby, equalized five minutes before halftime, giving the Jeddah-based team a brief respite.

However, Real Betis regained their lead just before the break, thanks to a goal from French playmaker Nabil Fekir.

The second half saw Real Betis extending their lead with goals from Spanish midfielder Marc Roca and winger

Juan Miguel “Juanmi,” who previously played for Al-Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The goals came in

the 58th and 72nd minutes, respectively, sealing a decisive victory for the Spanish club.

Al-Ittihad’s French coach, Laurent Blanc, utilized 17 players during the match, including six substitutes, as reported

by the club’s official account on X (formerly Twitter). Prior to facing Real Betis, Al-Ittihad suffered defeats against

Spanish sides Elche (0-2), Sevilla (0-1), and Portuguese club Farense (1-3), with the latter match being

abandoned due to crowd disturbances.

Team Backgrounds

Al-Ittihad:
Founded in 1927, Al-Ittihad Club, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is one of the oldest and most successful

football clubs in the Kingdom. Known as “The Tigers,” the club has a rich history of domestic and international

success, boasting numerous Saudi Professional League titles and AFC Champions League trophies.

Real Betis:
Real Betis Balompié, commonly known as Real Betis, is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville.

Established in 1907, Betis has a passionate fanbase and a storied history in La Liga. The club’s notable achievements

include winning the La Liga title in 1935 and several Copa del Rey trophies. They are known for their vibrant green and

white colors and their iconic Benito Villamarín Stadium.

This pre-season friendly serves as a critical preparation phase for both clubs as they gear up for the upcoming season.

While Al-Ittihad faces challenges in finding their form, Real Betis appears to be in a promising position ahead of their domestic campaign.