Isco Alarcon is back. The captain of Betis will be part of the list of summoned Pellegrini for the second leg of the quarter-final tie of the UEFA Europa League that the green and white will play tomorrow against the Sporting Bragain it La Cartuja Stadiumin search of a victory that will allow them to access the semifinals of the second continental tournament for the first time in their history. This was confirmed by the Chilean coach in his press conference this afternoon, before the list is made public.
“Isco He has been taking steps to advance his recovery. You don’t have to rush him too much, he himself feels whether he’s ready for more or not. This week he trained every day and is among the 23 summoned,” he confirmed. “The fact that he is summoned is because he is fit to play. How many minutes? We’re seeing him as the game progresses, he’s probably not there for many minutes or a full half, but as the game progresses we’ll see if we need to use him tomorrow,” he added.
It will be the first summons for the Betic captain after the serious injury that occurred at the end of November in a chance encounter with his teammate. Amrabatalso in a European match. At that time, Isco He was trying to accelerate his set-up with his sights set on the Seville derby after more than three months out due to a broken fibula, which he had suffered in the last summer preparation match, at the beginning of August, against the Malaga.
Two serious injuries this season
The one of The Rose Garden It was his second fibula fracture in just over a year and caused him to undergo surgery for the third time, after the first mishap, in May 2024, which left him without the option of competing in the Euro Cup with the Spanish National Teamrequired two interventions after a ‘relapse’ (the callus formation was not adequate and he had to restart the entire recovery process three months after his first surgery).
Isco He underwent surgery in August for this second fracture and, in November, meeting the deadlines, he had his first minutes again, in a match of League in The Charterhouse before him Girona. A few days later he started against the Utrechtbut he barely lasted 10 minutes on the grass due to this mishap with Amrabat. From there, a long recovery began that has kept him out of combat for almost five months, with another intervention in between.
Arthroscopy in December and progressive return
The one of Benalmadena He initially tried to follow a conservative plan, but was quickly ruled out for ankle arthroscopy late last year. There began a journey in which the club decided not to set a date for his return as it was a cartilage problem whose evolution was linked to the player’s sensations as the load on his ankle increased. But fortunately, everything seems to be going in the right direction.
At the beginning of last week Isco He began to work partially with the group. In the middle of the week he asked the coaching staff to be part of the expedition to Portugaleven though he could not play yet, to support the group as captain and, incidentally, continue training with his teammates. Now, after several full sessions increasing the intensity, he is able to help from the grass. The needs of the game will end if he has minutes or not tomorrow against the Pantybut his mere presence is already another boost in search of a victory with which to make history.
