What has changed for Valencia and Betis almost four years after La Cartuja? | OneFootball

There is plenty of unfinished business between Valencia and Real Betis. Superdeporte notes that Sunday’s meeting at La Cartuja now looks far more balanced, owing to major Betis absences and Valencia’s two league wins plus progress to the cup quarter-finals.

La Cartuja also brings a painful memory for Valencia. Less than four years ago, José Bordalás took his side there aiming to lift the Cup, but a strong Betis and a Yunus Musah penalty over the bar dashed the hopes of thousands.

The 2022 final XIs show the churn. Betis began with Bravo, Bellerín, Álex Moreno, Bartra, Pezzella, Carvalho, Guido Rodríguez, Fekir, Canales, Juanmi and Borja Iglesias, and only Bellerín and Bartra remain. Valencia used a back five with Diakhaby, Paulista, Alderete, wing-backs Gayà and Foulquier, plus Guillamón, Ilaix, Guedes, Carlos Soler and Hugo Duro, and four of those starters are still in the squad.

Since then, Betis have put together three consistent top-flight seasons, operating in the upper half and chasing Europe. Across 2023/24 and 2024/25 they stayed stable, turning Benito Villamarín into a tough trip and recording more than 15 league wins, without quite joining the Champions League fight.

Valencia’s last three campaigns have been more turbulent. In 2022/23 they fought to stay up and struggled in attack, then in 2023/24 and 2024/25 they steadied with a younger core and greater defensive solidity, easing clear of danger and laying foundations for bolder targets.

Linking the eras is Guido Rodríguez, now at Valencia after anchoring Betis for years. His tactical reading, ball-winning and positional discipline balanced the side and freed their attack, and he emerged as a reliable, quietly authoritative leader.

Source: Superdeporte