Pellegrini Names Squad for Upcoming Match Against Villarreal

Following the training session on Friday, Manuel Pellegrini, the manager of Real Betis, revealed the roster for the upcoming La Liga match against Villarreal, which marks the beginning of the second half of the season. The squad will be missing six players: four due to injuries and two due to international duties.

Isco will continue to be unavailable for an indefinite period following an ankle arthroscopy performed at the end of December. Bellerín is also sidelined, though no medical report or estimated recovery time has been provided. Junior Firpo and Cucho Hernández are likely to be out for approximately a month due to muscle injuries sustained last weekend during the visit to Oviedo.

Additionally, Moroccan players Amrabat and Abde will miss the match as they are focused on their national team, preparing for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. It seems unlikely that they will join the team for their trip to Thessaloniki on Wednesday to face PAOK in the continental tournament. As it stands, they are expected to return for the La Liga match against Alavés next Sunday.

A notable inclusion in the roster is Ángel Ortiz, who was unavailable for the Copa del Rey round of 16 match against Elche due to a muscle strain but has since recovered and will be available for the match. It remains to be seen whether he will start, allowing Ruibal to play in an attacking role on the left flank, or if he will come off the bench, with Ruibal retaining his position on the right side of defense, as he did on Wednesday.

**Goalkeepers:** Álvaro Valles, Adrián San Miguel, Pau López
**Defenders:** Ortiz, Ruibal, Bartra, Diego Llorente, Natan, Valentín Gómez, Ricardo Rodríguez
**Midfielders:** Altimira, Marc Roca, Deossa, Fornals, Lo Celso, Antony, Riquelme
**Forwards:** Pablo García, Chimy Ávila, Bakambu