Manuel Pellegrini has been left scratching his head for Real Betis options in defence ahead of facing off with Rangers next week.
The La Liga side will pose tough foes for Michael Beale's men in Europa League group stage action, with the former Man City boss bringing his side to Glasgow in eight days’ time. But ahead of the clash – with a match with Barcelona to precede it – he's been left with backline concerns.
Luiz Felipe has departed for Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad and it leaves only German Pezzella, Marc Bartra and 20-year-old Chadi Riad as senior defensive options, with Riad yet to make his debut after joining on loan from Barcelona. Bartra also hasn't kicked a ball in anger this term. Spanish outlet Al Final de la Palmera claim "Pellegrini has already expressed the great inconvenience" of only having three options in that area but it states that they will hold off signing a new recruit until the January window.
By that point, Rangers' group stage campaign will already be done and they will hope seal a place in the knockout rounds. Already though, "a murmur has taken over" the Betis halls.
That rumour is believed to be that boss Pellegrini will lean on his youth options in case of emergency, with only one injury leaving them with no natural cover. Rangers play St Johnstone in the Premiership ahead of their clash with Betis.
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