Amid strong interest from clubs in Major League Soccer, it was with a view towards the 2018 World Cup that Andres Guardado decided to join Real Betis and continue pushing himself at the highest level in La Liga. After three starts for the Seville-based club, it’s apparent that the 30-year-old made the right decision. This is obviously his level.
Guardado made it three assists in four appearances after turning in a commanding display from the heart of the midfield in Betis’ 2-1 victory over Deportivo on Saturday. Like in Betis’ match against Celta Vigo at the end of August, Guardado was close to perfection in both fulfilling his defensive responsibilities and creating when getting forward.
Andrés Guardado star display in #RealBetis 2-1 win: 1 assist, 5 chances created, 46/50 (92%) passing, 5/5 long balls, 10 recoveries. #ElTri pic.twitter.com/ANiLVfSI2S
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonitoUSA) September 16, 2017
Guardado’s performance saw him named to WhoScored’s La Liga Team of the Week in front of any midfield representation from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico.
Real Madrid representatives
Barcelona representatives
Atletico Madrid representativesOur La Liga team of the week pic.twitter.com/kWsNWD3e7F— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 19, 2017
This is because Guardado’s assist for Joaquin to secure all three points for Betis in the 76th minute was a thing of rare beauty.
"Esto solo lo hacen los genios" dicen en España. Extraordinaria asistencia de @AGuardado18 pic.twitter.com/keNrpUhfyn
— Carlos Hernández (@CHERNANDEZ7) September 16, 2017
Guardado has quickly established himself as a vital player for Betis, and his season average of 2.8 key passes per game and 87.9% pass success rate rank near the top of La Liga in both categories. He’ll have another chance to impress on Wednesday when his club visits the Bernabeu to play Real Madrid.