Betis is burning, and Lopera should leave now. That was the common theme that come out of Heliópolis after the cult of personality that Manuel Ruiz de Lopera established within the annals of the Andalucian side were the prime reason why Betis were relegated to second division. Lopera is obviously the prime target. He was where Betis' miseries started and ended. His inability to run the club eventually put the team in this situation. He was able to make chicken shit out of chicken salad the only way an incompetent directive knows how to- eating it up all by himself. In Monday's edition of Diario de Sevilla Javier Mérida wrote an editorial regarding the disgust that Ruiz de Lopera generated in the Betis faithful and how his reign at the club seems to have no end in sight. "Why can't a person like this not be a fan of Real Madrid or some other team," said Mérida in his piece. His was a call to arms against Ruiz de Lopera and the rest of his cronies that have driven the club to not only second division, but economic instability and unrest within the club where members have been revoked of various privileges and rights.

Yes he was the one responsible for saving the club back in the early 90's when the Anonymous Society Law was put into place. Ruiz de Lopera was the one that put the money to save the club, only to turn around and take away its soul.

For Betis fans it is inconceivable that a man that has been in charge as well as being the primary culprit in both relegations in the past decade is asking for the amount money raised seconds after referee Alfonso Pérez Burrull blew the final whistle.



Eight years, a Copa del Rey, and a Champions League later the same inevitable scenario faced the Beticos. After three years of near-Houdini escapes from second division limbo, were not present at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera and "impotence" took over.




What truly went wrong? Betis fans, sound off.

What Went Wrong- Betis Fans Speak

All tihngs come to an end and for Barcelona Their ten-match winning streak came to an end. It was early December since Barcelona last played and not get the three points. Still based on their result at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera and the likeliness of Madrid winning at El Molinón... Barcelona will remain with a two-digit lead over Real Madrid.

Betis Ends Barca Run

Week 22 saw Barca and Real Madrid slip away even more from the other 18 teams with contrasting styles of play. Barcelona played with total style and Madrid played a bit more aggressively and had the game mucked up in the middle. Samuel Eto'o scored his 21st goal of the season and Dani Alves stated his case as one of the early front runners that will have to be next to Herculean in order to catch up to Lionel Messi. The Barca right back could be in that pack right now that might be looked at as the second best player in the world right now.

Meanwhile the latest edition of Andalucian derby saw Manuel Chaparro save his job after the Verdes beat Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuan. Ricardo Oliveira paid dividends in his debut with the club as he equalized in the 83rd minute en route their 2-1 victory.

Saved is also Osasuna who emerged out of the relegation zone after beating Valencia at the Reyno de Navarra in one of the tighter games you would have seen this weekend. With their win and Mallorca and Espanyol's draw as well as Numancia's defeat; they leapfrogged out of relegation on goal difference.

Saturday

Real Madrid 1

Higuaín (48')


Racing 0


------


Sevilla 1

Kanouté (90'+2')


Betis 2

Sergio García (70'), Oliveira (83')


------


Sunday
Villarreal 2

Rossi (15', 67')


Numancia 1

Aranda (39')


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Getafe 1

Soldado (7')

Espanyol 1

Iván Alonso (25')


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Mallorca 1

Aduriz (56')


Deportivo 1

Verdú (77')


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Valladolid 2

Victor (38', 58')


Athletic 1

Orbaiz (65')


------


Recreativo 0


Atlético 3

Agüero (2'), Forlán (27', 34')


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Málaga 3


Luque (48'), Salva (64', 72')


Almería 2


Uche (25'), Negredo (44')


------


Barcelona 3

Eto'o (22', 39') , Dani Alves (65')


Sporting 1

Kike Mateo (68')


------

Osasuna 1

Flaño (57')


Valencia 0

La Liga Week 22 Roundup

Zaragoza forward Ricardo Oliveira might be the player that earns the title of last-minute blockbuster transfer deal. The Brazilian has every intention of returning to the Spanish top flight and according to local sources, the deal is pretty much done between the player and the Andalucian side, but we all have become familiar with those last-minute debacles that break a deal down. Zaragoza might want more money so they can obtain much bally-hooed replacement Guilherme, thus is why they are waiting until the last minute to pull the trigger and finalize the deal.

Oliveira Saga Drags

Betis and Zaragoza finalized the terms on the return of Ricardo Oliveira to the Andalucian verdiblancos. Zaragoza agreed to the terms placed on the table by Manuel Ruiz de Lopera and Betis board. The only thing that Betis are waiting on is the final signature.

Oliveira said, "I plan to retire (at Betis)". This was the club where the Brazilian international saw the most success in his career becoming one of the top goalscorers in Spain and winning the Copa del Rey in 2005-06 as well as playing in the Champions League a few years back prior to his move to AC Milan.

Oliveira's return to Heliópolis made it viable for disgruntled Argentine forward Mariano Pavone to return to Argentina and play for Independiente, but the delay in which the deal was handed on the Zaragoza made his move virtually impossible with only hours left prior to the transfer window closing.

Oliveira Comes Back Home To Betis

Wednesday

Betis 0-0 Mallorca

(MLL adv. on 0-1 agg.)
Sporting 1-2 Athletic

SPO: Carmelo (1')

ATB: Gabilondo (41'), David López (51')

(ATB adv. on 1-2 agg.)

Thursday

Sevilla 2-1 Valencia

SEV: Kanoute(35'), Squillaci (90')

VAL: Marchena (7')

(SEV adv. on away goals)

Barcelona 3-2 Espanyol

BAR: Krkic (34', 48'), Piqué (57')

ESP: Coro (58'), Callejón(69')

(BAR adv. on 3-2 agg.)

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Semifinals

Sevilla-Athletic

Mallorca- Barcelona

Copa Del Rey Quarters- Return Leg

Betis coach and former French international Luis Fernandez stated that their upcoming match against Barcelona at the Nou Camp. He stated that the team will prepare for this match as he sees it more likely to earn those six home points that would guarantee their stay in first division next season.

According to the coach in his weekly show on RMC in France, their focus is the following weekend against cellar-dwelling Gimnàstic at the Manuel Ruía de Lopera.

¨They are playing for the title and Eto´o, Ronaldinho, and Messi quicky got back into form. They are superior to us, and it is to our convenience to be stroing at home in oder to remain in the top flight.

Could a person so combative be getting soft or is it all a ploy to softening the defending champs.

Giving Up Or Playing Mind Games?