Junior Firpo has emerged as the main new face in Real Betis’ 23-man squad for the trip to Real Sociedad. The Dominican left-back returns after recovering from a muscle injury and is available again for Manuel Pellegrini after missing the last five league matches.
His comeback adds an important option on the left side for Betis, especially because the squad list also leaves out Adrián San Miguel, while Marc Bartra and Ángel Ortiz remain unavailable through injury. The selection reflects a team still managing several absences, even as it prepares for a demanding away fixture in San Sebastián.
Firpo’s season has been interrupted by physical problems, and he has only managed 14 appearances in total, with 10 in LaLiga, three in the Europa League, and one in the Copa. His latest setback came with the Dominican Republic at the end of March, but he is now back in contention for the green-and-white side.
A squad shaped by absences
Pellegrini’s call-up also excluded Pablo García, who continues to support Betis Deportivo in Primera RFEF as the reserve side fights to avoid relegation. That decision underlines how the club is balancing first-team needs with the situation of its youth and reserve players.
The rest of the squad includes goalkeepers Álvaro Valles and Pau López, along with defenders Bellerín, Aitor Ruibal, Llorente, Natan, Valentín Gómez, Ricardo Rodríguez and Junior. The midfield and attacking options are also well represented, with Amrabat, Marc Roca, Altimira, Deossa, Fornals, Fidalgo, Isco, Lo Celso, Antony, Abde and Riquelme among the selected players.
Up front, Chimy Ávila, Bakambu and Cucho Hernández complete the group available to Pellegrini. For Betis, Firpo’s return provides a timely reinforcement at a stage of the season when squad depth matters, while the absences of Adrián, Bartra and Ortiz keep the defensive picture limited for the trip to face Real Sociedad.
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