Real Betis confirm Abde and Lo Celso absences for Real Madrid clash

Real Betis will be without Ez Abde and Giovani Lo Celso for Friday’s LaLiga meeting with Real Madrid, while new signing Dani Ceballos will also miss the game as he continues to build his fitness.

Manuel Pellegrini confirmed the absences during his pre-match press conference on Thursday, giving Betis a clearer picture of their available squad ahead of the fixture at La Cartuja.

Abde has been ruled out after suffering from a viral illness. The winger missed Thursday’s training session and will not be included against Madrid, although Pellegrini expects him to be available again next week.

Lo Celso is also close to completing his recovery but has not progressed far enough to return this weekend. The Argentina international has resumed work with the group, but Betis have decided not to accelerate his comeback.

Pellegrini said both Abde and Lo Celso should be in condition to return next week.

Ceballos, meanwhile, will have to wait for his first appearance since returning to Betis. The midfielder only recently joined training with his new team-mates after spending much of the summer working away from regular competitive action, and Pellegrini confirmed he will not be named in the squad to face his former club.

Betis will also remain without Aitor Ruibal and goalkeeper Diego Conde, who continue their respective recovery programmes.

There was better news regarding Antony. The Brazilian had also been affected by a viral illness but has recovered sufficiently to be included in Pellegrini’s squad.

The update leaves Betis without several first-team options for one of their toughest early-season fixtures, although the expectation that Abde and Lo Celso could return next week means neither absence is currently being treated as a longer-term setback.