Derbi revenge? How Real Betis ace Isco is primed to face his Sevilla rejectors

The chant of “Isco, Isco, Isco" has become a common one this season at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, where the 31-year-old has been proving that he is back to his best.

He has already scored three goals and provided two assists this campaign, doing so in style. His volleyed goal in a recent victory against CA Osasuna was sensational, while an assist for Marc Roca in a win over Valencia CF was also perfect. “Isco is a magician, the cross was a delight," Roca stated afterwards.

Isco is now looking ahead to the first ELGRAN DERBI of the 2023/24 season, which will be a particularly special game for him. This time last year, he was playing across the city for Sevilla FC. However, it didn't work out at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán and the two parties agreed to terminate his contract during the pause for the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, before he could even debut in this derby match.

Isco's return after nine months out

When Isco signed with Real Betis during the summer, to link up again with his former Málaga CF coach Manuel Pellegrini, he hadn't played since November 13th 2022. For a player with such innate talent, that didn't matter. When he stepped out exactly nine months later to make his competitive debut for Real Betis away at Villarreal CF, on August 13th 2023, Isco was so brilliant that he was named the MVP of the match, which Los Verdiblancos won 2-1. That was just the beginning, as the Spaniard already has eight MVP awards to his name this campaign.

Looking at his stats for the season as a whole, there are several that stand out. Isco ranks second in LALIGA EA SPORTS for key passes per game, with 3.0, and is only behind Iago Aspas of RC Celta (3.3). The Spaniard is third in the competition for expected