Real Betis 0 - 0 Las Palmas: Real Betis and Deportivo La Coruna play out goalless draw

Posted Saturday, August 27, 2016 by PA

Draw specialists Deportivo La Coruna claimed a deserved point in a goalless and uninspiring match away to Real Betis.

The Galicians drew 18 of their LaLiga matches last term and now have four points from their opening two games of the new campaign, though they lacked an attacking focus without Arsenal-bound forward Lucas Perez.

For the hosts, veteran winger Joaquin Sanchez was the most influential player on the pitch but could not lift his team-mates to victory.

Fabian Ruiz had to be smart to clear away an inswinging Depor free-kick from Faycal Fajr under pressure from Pedro Mosquera, but that was the nearest either side came to a goal in a cagey first 15 minutes in Seville.

Joaquin dribbled the ball across from right to left played a well-weighted pass into the path of Tonny Sanabria, but in keeping with the low quality of the half his stabbed right-foot effort in the 38th minute was well off-target.

Danish full-back Riza Durmisi forced a tip-over from German Lux in the Depor goal in the first real action of the second period after a twisting run down the left, and Betis had a strong claim for a penalty when Depor midfielder Mosquera appeared to handle the ball in the box.

Betis substitute Charly Musonda looked more of a threat and some good interplay released him into an attacking position with 15 minutes to go but Juanfran was able to intercept his cross and then clear the danger.

Ruben Castro failed to make clean contact with a shot for Betis after a poor defensive header from substitute Luisinho fell to him with nine minutes left and Borja Valle headed wide a late chance for Depor.