Surgery required
The 27-year-old was substituted in the 57th minute of last night's 4-0 defeat at Chelsea FC after hurting his right knee. Tests today revealed a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament – an injury that will require surgery and sidelined him for half a year. The southern Spanish side confirmed that Miguel Ángel will be operated on next Monday.

Double whammy
Meanwhile, defender Óscar López appeared as a second-half replacement but soon joined his colleague on the casualty list with a tear to his left thigh. The 25-year-old will be absent for a fortnight, making him unavailable when Betis welcome Chelsea to Seville for UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 on 1 November.