Fresh Setback for Abde Ezzalzouli as Pellegrini Excludes Him from Champions League Squad

Abde Ezzalzouli’s return to the European stage will have to wait.

On the eve of Real Betis’ long-awaited UEFA Champions League opener against Lille, Manuel Pellegrini has left the Morocco international out of his squad, dealing the winger another untimely blow just as the continental campaign begins.

Pellegrini announced his list on Sunday for Tuesday night’s clash with the French side, the first round of the new league phase. Ezzalzouli’s name was missing. In his place, the Chilean coach has leaned on a core of established stars: Isco, Giovani Lo Celso, Antony and Dani Ceballos all made the cut as Betis look to start strongly in Europe.

For Ezzalzouli, the timing could hardly be worse.

He had already sat out Betis’ recent league meeting with Real Madrid, ruled out by a viral infection. That absence came right after he had finally stepped back onto the pitch, getting minutes against Levante in the previous round as he appeared to have put earlier physical issues behind him.

Just when it seemed he was edging back into rhythm, the problem flared up again. The same viral infection has now cost him a place in Pellegrini’s plans for one of Betis’ headline fixtures of the season.

The Moroccan winger is left watching from the outside as Betis step into the European spotlight, a stage he had been pushing to reach since his arrival. His task now is clear and unforgiving: recover quickly, rebuild his fitness, and convince Pellegrini he deserves to be part of this campaign, with Betis facing a demanding schedule on both domestic and European fronts.

With the Champions League just beginning and the season still stretching out ahead, Ezzalzouli’s response to this setback may well define his year.