Real Betis are one of the biggest clubs in Spain. The team has grown from strength to strength over the years. They are a settled team in the LaLiga. In the last few years, Betis have managed to secure European football. The team has finished in the top seven for the previous four seasons. They made it to the UEFA Europa Conference League campaign in the upcoming season.
The team has been busy in the transfer window. They allowed some players to leave the camp and made some recruitments to strengthen the squad. One player who joined the club this summer is Ricardo Rodriguez. The Swiss international joins the club on a two-year deal from Torino. Betis already have Spanish youngster Juan Miranda in the left-back position. They allowed Abner to join the French club, Lyon.
Rodriguez comes in with plenty of experience. He has played 149 games in the Bundesliga and around 200 in the Serie A. The 31-year-old has also earned more than 100 caps for the Switzerland national team. As Betis aim for a better finish in the league table this time, we take a look at what Rodriguez offers to their backline.
Versatile player
Ricardo Rodriguez is a very versatile player. He can play as a left centre-back and also as a left-back. The 31-year-old lacks a bit of pace but his experience can make a massive difference. Rodriguez doesn’t give away any silly fouls. Most of his fouls came outside the defensive third. He can also cover a lot of ground. The pizza chart shows the percentile rank of the player in comparison to other left centre-backs. Rodriguez was dominant in the air. One area where the Swiss player enjoyed success was in providing progressive passes.
Rodriguez likes to deliver crosses into the box. Most of his progressive passes are directed towards the flanks. This allows the team to move forward. He even helped his national side in the Euros.
Ricardo has a 52% accuracy rate for crosses. The veteran usually targets the far post. He created two goals for his teammates at Torino in the 2023-24 season. Betis strikers will have a happy time as Rodriguez is capable of taking set pieces.
The 31-year-old won’t make so many runs behind the defenders. However, he can carry the ball from the defensive zones to the attacking zones.
Ricardo Rodriguez’s experience will count in the attack. He can take some good seasons. This allowed the Swiss player to make 56 counter-pressing recoveries. Real Betis can capitalise on such opportunities and find the back of the net.
More than a replacement
Abner was the second choice in the left-back position. He decided to part ways with the club. The Brazilian played 23 LaLiga games. He gave away a few fouls in the defensive third. Abner made more interceptions but hurried on the opposition players at times.
Rodriguez is also a better option going into the final third. He possesses more quality on the ball and can deliver dangerous passes. Abner used to stretch the defence but Rodriguez likes to deliver the passes from a different angle.
The experience of the Swiss player will be crucial in the upcoming season. Ricardo has proven his worth in Germany and Italy. He will aim to do the same in Spain.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine