When we landed such a difficult Group in the Europa League you automatically scanned the fixtures to see where the away points might be.
You presume that we’ll be good enough to win at home, but away is where the fates of all four teams are decided.
On paper, the most likely place to secure some away day points is in Hungary.
It’s a big ask for a team to go to Spain and grab a win. Germany looks exceptionally difficult, as Leverkusen will probably be the best team we play in this whole campaign.
Nothing about any of it will be easy. But Real Betis are having a tough time of it right now with departures, issues, form issues and the inconvenience of having had to play their league game last night, which they were extremely angry about.
They won, with a late goal.
They lost another player to injury though.
We travel there in good spirits, and although they will still be confident there are some seeds of doubt amongst their squad and management team as they question whether we’re getting them at just the right time to give them a scare.
Ange will believe we can do much more.
In truth though, a point would be an excellent result in such a difficult away tie.
A few weeks ago, when the draw was made, you’d have said it was a big ask, but then getting this far was supposed to be a big ask and all but for a shaky couple of moments against AZ Alkmaar it was all fairly straightforward.
This will be harder.
But those doubts in Betis are right; we are getting them at just the right time, and that’s the advantage we have to press.
If we approach the game correctly and with a little more caution we have a good chance of getting something from the tie.
We went to Lazio and won. We went to Holland and were able to see our way past a good team. I think there’s a belief and feel good atmosphere in the team that means European away results are not beyond us any more. C’mon a Hoops. HH