Real Betis have suffered a huge blow just days before their Europa League clash with Manchester United, as they have lost their star man for the season.
The Spanish side have been dealt a major blow with the news that their star midfielder, Andres Guardado, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Guardado, who has been a key player for Betis since joining the club in 2017, has been a key figure in the team’s success this season, helping them to a fifth-place finish in La Liga and a place in the Europa League.
The 33-year-old has been a regular starter for Betis this season, making 28 appearances in all competitions and scoring four goals.
The news of Guardado’s injury is a huge blow for Betis, who are set to face Manchester United in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday.
Guardado’s absence will be a major loss for the Spanish side, as he has been a key figure in their midfield this season, providing a creative spark and a calming presence in the middle of the park.
The injury is also a major setback for Guardado himself, who was hoping to make a return to the Mexican national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Guardado has been a regular for Mexico since making his debut in 2005, and has made over 150 appearances for his country.
The injury is a huge blow for Betis, who will now have to find a way to cope without their star man for the remainder of the season.
The Spanish side will now have to look to other players to step up and fill the void left by Guardado, with the likes of Sergio Canales, Joaquin and Nabil Fekir all likely to be called upon to provide the creative spark in midfield.
Betis will now have to find a way to cope without their star man for the remainder of the season, as they look to progress in the Europa League and finish the season strongly in La Liga.