Real Betis has received a significant defensive reinforcement ahead of their crucial Liga fixture against Real Sociedad. Left-back Junior Firpo has been cleared to return to the squad after a period of recovery, marking his comeback from an injury that sidelined him for approximately six weeks.
The news comes as part of the squad announcement made by manager Manuel Pellegrini, who has named a 23-player traveling party for the trip to San Sebastián. The team will make the journey on Friday afternoon in preparation for the Saturday evening kickoff at the iconic Anoeta stadium.
While Firpo's return is a positive development, the squad list also reveals a notable absence. Third-choice goalkeeper Adrián San Miguel has not been included in the selected group. This decision by the coaching staff means the experienced shot-stopper will not be available for selection for this particular matchday.
The fixture itself is a key part of the Spanish top-flight calendar, falling on the 35th matchday of the season. The match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM local time on Saturday, promising a prime-time contest between two established Liga sides.
Pellegrini's selection of 23 players indicates a near-full-strength squad is available for the challenging away fixture. The return of a player like Firpo, who offers pace and attacking thrust from the left flank, provides the manager with more tactical options against a strong Real Sociedad side.
The absence of Adrián, while noteworthy, is less likely to impact the immediate matchday plans, as he serves as the third-choice option behind the primary goalkeepers. His omission from the traveling party is a standard squad management decision for a single fixture.
All eyes will now be on how Pellegrini integrates Firpo back into the team's structure and whether the returning defender will feature directly in the starting lineup or be eased back in from the substitutes' bench. The team's focus is firmly on securing a positive result at a difficult venue.
Based on reporting from Fútbol.
