Friendly Fire in Europe: Amrabat and Isco Injured in Betis’ Chaotic Start

Early clash sidelines two Betis stars

Real Betis of Spain were dealt a heavy blow today in their Europa League match against Utrecht, opening the fifth round of the group stage.

Within the first two minutes, a misunderstanding occurred between Betis’ two stars, Isco Alarcon and his Moroccan teammate Sofyan Amrabat.

Isco was trying to settle the ball outside the penalty area, while Amrabat surged to strike it as it appeared, accidentally guiding a kick into his teammate's leg and sending him to the ground in pain.

Isco fought to get up and continue, but he couldn't, leaving the field with a limp a few minutes later, and Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini was forced to substitute him.

On the way to the dressing room, the former Real Madrid man needed assistance from the medical staff, unable to climb the tunnel stairs.

Amrabat also appeared to be injured by the collision, leaving the pitch about a quarter of an hour in, at his own request due to not being able to carry on.

The Moroccan Journeyman

Sofyan Amrabat is one of the most itinerant Moroccan midfielders in Europe in recent years, constantly seeking more minutes and greater on-pitch harmony, until arriving at Real Betis in the summer of 2025.

Amrabat began his career in the Netherlands with Utrecht and then Feyenoord, where he learned the basics of deep play, ball recovery, and building from the back. He then moved to Club Brugge in Belgium, but that stint did not grant him the stability he sought.

The turning point came with Hellas Verona, where he delivered his best version of himself and drew attention from major clubs thanks to his physical strength and rhythm control.

That form led to a move to Fiorentina, where he established himself as a disciplined pivot in Serie A, before a loan spell at Manchester United that brought many challenges and did not go as hoped.

Later he joined Fenerbahçe in Turkey, and it looked like things might settle after Betis bought his rights, but midfield congestion and his desire for a bigger role opened another door.

On 1 September 2025, he joined Real Betis on loan without an option to buy, a move reflecting his wish for a competitive league that would allow him to rekindle his shine.

Bad luck

Meanwhile, Isco suffered another injury tonight, returning him to the unlucky spell that has followed him recently, as he endured a long run of injuries, then came back with high spirits to prove his readiness, but he barely played significant minutes before the injury struck again.

These circumstances place Real Betis before an extra challenge, as the team relies on Isco’s vision and ability to connect play and make a difference, raising questions about how permanently he can be trusted without further setbacks.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard remains a model of perseverance, and there is still hope that today’s injury is only a minor blip, not a derailment of his comeback, especially as he dreams of convincing Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente of his inclusion in the 2026 World Cup squad, to be staged in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Punchline 1: If injuries counted as goals, Betis would lead the league by now, and the fans would still be cheering for the plot twists.

Punchline 2: They say football is a contact sport—apparently Betis took that literally in minute one and met their own limbs with full, dramatic contact.