The hosts have dropped down from the Europa League following a third-place finish in their group, while the Blues secured second spot in Group C of Europe's third tier club competition.
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Real Betis will begin their bid for Europa Conference League stardom on Thursday when they play host to Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of their playoff tie at Benito Villamarin. The hosts have dropped down from the Europa League following a third-place finish in their group, while the Blues secured second spot in Group C of Europe’s third tier club competition. Meanwhile, Los Verdiblancos are heading into the match on the back of a comprehensive 2-0 victory away to Cadiz in the La Liga at the weekend, while the Croatian outfit played out a 2-2 HNL-draw versus Lok. Zagreb last time out.
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Mood #EuroBetis. pic.twitter.com/eFuqF7bLtt
— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) February 14, 2024
Betis had to settle for a place in the Conference League, despite collecting nine points from six Group C-games, just a solitary point adrift second-placed Sparta Prague. A 3-2 defeat versus Rangers at Benito Villamarin in their final group fixture of the Europa League on December 14 cost Manuel Pellegrini’s side a place in the knockout round playoff of Europe’s second tier club competition. Nevertheless, Los Verdiblancos now have a chance to win their first-ever European trophy. Pellegrini’s men are current occupying sixth spot in the Spanish top flight standings, having pocketed 38 points from 24 games. On Saturday, El Gloriso’s recorded their ninth top flight victory of the campaign at Cadiz thanks to two unanswered goals through Willian Jose and Pablo Fornals.
Dinamo Zagreb, on the other hand, won three of their six group games to collect nine points, nine adrift of Group C winners Viktoria Plzen and five clear of third-placed Astana. The Blues thrashed FC Balkani 3-0 in their last Conference League outing in December last year. Sergej Jakirovic’s side came from behind to earn a draw at NK Lokomitiva in the league on Saturday thanks to Bruno Petkovic’s first-half brace. However, Jakirovic would be disappointed with a point, with his side currently sitting in third place and six points adrift of leaders Rijeka, who have played a game more, in the Croatian top flight standings.
Real Betis probable starting lineup: Silva, Bellerin, Pezzella, Riad, Miranda, Johnny, Altimira, Diao, Fekir, Rodri, Willian Jose
Dinamo Zagreb probable starting lineup: Zagorac, Ristovski, Theophile-Catherine, Perkovic, Ogiwara, Sucic, Music, Kaneko, Baturina, Hoxha, Petkovic
Real Betis
| Opponents | Score |
| Cadiz CF | 0-2 (W) |
| Getafe | 1-1 (D) |
| Mallorca | 0-1 (W) |
| Barcelona | 2-4 (L) |
| Granada CF | 1-0 (W) |
Dinamo Zagreb
| Opponents | Score |
| Lok. Zagreb | 2-2 (D) |
| Gorcia | 2-0 (W) |
| Istra 1961 | 0-1 (W) |
| Lok. Zagreb | 0-3 (L) |
| Slask Wroclaw | 3-2 (W) |
The Europa Conference League fixture between Real Betis and Dinamo Zagreb will take place at Benito Villamrin on Friday at 1:30 am IST.
| Real Betis vs Dinamo Zagreb | Key Details |
| Date | February 15 (Spain) |
| Venue | Benito Villamrin |
| Kickoff time in Spain | 9:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in Croatia | 9:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 1:30 am (Friday) |
The live telecast of the UEFA Europa League matches in India will be available on Sony Sports network. Besides, football fans in India can also live stream the game through Sony LIV. Meanwhile, those in Spain can watch the match on Movistar + network. Football fans in Croatia can catch the live action via Arena Sport 1 Croatia.
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