😳 Deossa, from ankle woes to conjunctivitis: patience needed at Betis | OneFootball

Nelson Deossa was the big surprise in the starting eleven for Betis in the 0-0 draw against Genk in the Europa League. The Colombian midfielder returned to the starting lineup after a long period of inactivity, showing admirable commitment despite the circumstances, as he took to the field while dealing with an annoying conjunctivitis—something that did not go unnoticed during the broadcast and added to what was already a complicated return.

The coach of the verdiblanco side, Manuel Pellegrini, put the player’s performance into perspective, noting it was affected by his lack of match rhythm. "He’s just coming back, with little football, after a rather long ankle injury," the coach explained. He also emphasized that the conjunctivitis "was bothering him quite a bit," making it clear that the best version of the player cannot be expected immediately.

Pellegrini’s caution was evident when evaluating Deossa’s performance on the pitch, where he played just over 60 minutes. The Chilean was honest in admitting that the Colombian "wasn’t creative," reflecting the team’s overall offensive blackout against Genk. Nevertheless, the coach was optimistic about the midfielder’s potential.

Patience will be key for Deossa’s adaptation to elite European football. Pellegrini has full confidence in the youngster’s abilities. "He’s a player who, little by little, has been giving everything he’s got, with great physical and technical ability," he stated, stressing the need for Deossa to gain competitive rhythm.

Ultimately, the draw in the Europa League leaves Betis in a good position, but also confirms the need for players like Nelson Deossa to fully integrate. The Colombian, with his physical and technical abilities, is expected to become an important asset for Pellegrini once he achieves "consistency in his game," leaving behind injuries and issues like conjunctivitis.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

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