UEFA have confirmed that Real Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir will miss his club’s next 3 European matches, according to Spanish outlet AS.
Fekir was sent off in a clash with Bayer Leverkusen’s Karem Demirby on matchday 4 of the Europa League. The incident also saw the Leverkusen man given his marching orders too.
Betis will take the trip to Parkhead on matchday 6 in what could be a do-or-die crunch clash to see who earns progression into the last-32. Fekir will now miss that match due to his ban.
Fekir has one goal and one assist in this season’s Europa League so far. He’s been a constant in Manuel Pellegrini’s starting XI too with 16 appearances to his name already this term [Transfermarkt].
His absence will be a big blow for Betis’ creativity levels on the night. Whilst the La Liga side are jam-packed with quality, Fekir has been central to their early-season success.
Celtic likely still need a positive result away to Leverkusen on matchday 5 to ensure they have a chance of progressing when Betis come to Glasgow.
Real Betis suffer major blow, but Celtic still have a job to do
Pellegrini will of course find a way around the suspension. Betis aren’t 5th in La Liga because their squad is reliant on one player. They clearly have a lot more in their arsenal.
However, the news will undoubtedly weaken them. Fekir was a massive signing for the club back in 2019 and has been one of their key assets over the last 2 years. Betis wouldn’t likely called on him to make a big impact in Glasgow come matchday 6.
But that December 9th clash is still some time away. Celtic still have a major job to do in Leverkusen if they’re to make a success of the campaign. They can’t really look any further than that one at the moment.
Leverkusen have absolutely mauled their way through the group with 3 wins and a draw. They’re just another positive result away from topping the group, and that’s something that doesn’t bode well from a Celtic perspective. Any idea of them missing players or playing a weakened team should be swiftly put to bed.
Should we come away from that one with at least a point, then it doesn’t matter what Betis do on the same evening against Ferencvaros. The job will remain the same when the La Liga side come to Glasgow – just win the game.
And with Real now missing Fekir, it certainly gives Celtic a big boost for that particular clash.
In other news, What Ligue 1’s Marco Bizot has said on his future as Celtic link emerges
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