Quique Setien’s style of play takes time to master. A strong faith in technical ability and making the right decisions in the correct areas of the field relies heavily on players who are switched on and well versed in what the manager is asking for. As the dust settles ion Monday's 5-0 thrashing by Eibar, the crisis klaxons have been dusted off for what will likely become regular usage.
That isn't to say that critics are being too harsh, nor the fans too demanding, but rather that there are obvious foibles to Betis' play. After a 4-4 away draw with Real Sociedad, there wasn't even the slightest inclination of going back to the drawing board, and nor was that to be the case after conceding six times against high-flying Valencia. Setienismo means taking the rough with the smooth. At their best Betis will thrill, but Eibar showed that opponents will occasionally profit from their worst.
Clicking back into gear after the international break appeared to be a laborious task for the visitors, who struggled against a team with a point to prove and an audience in front of whom they needed to redeem themselves. While Betis lacked focus and concentration, Eibar demonstrated grit, purpose and a collective energy.
Last summer was one of optimism at Estadio Benito Villamarin. The sale of over 50,000 season tickets fuelled such a sentiment, with even the high-profile departure of star talent Dani Ceballos to Real Madrid unable to dampen spirits in Andalusia.
In came Quique Setien and positive results soon followed, while young home-grown talent Fabian Ruiz was held up as the new regime’s poster boy. There has been plenty to get excited about in Seville, but this defeat provided something of a timely reality check - or at least a useful tempering of expectations.
A slow start to the Setien era was initially expected, given the huge stylistic changes and the large number of transfers made within just a few months. Instead, quick foundations were laid, with the arrival of a number of exciting, technically gifted signings helping to bridge the gap between Betis’ capabilities of old and the heightened expectations of new.
Roared on by their sizeable support, the team gained momentum from a successful honeymoon period. The quality was there - at least within the starting XI - to satisfy Setien’s maxims. A 5-0 drubbing would have been accepted more readily in the early weeks of the season, with such a result appearing to be an anomaly when prefaced with Betis’ form up until now in La Liga.
Rather than gradually building momentum, Betis came out with all guns blazing immediately in the league. This trip to Ipurua will have undoubtedly upset their balance, but at least there is a sturdy pillar to lean upon. An immovable object constructed from their coach’s rigid philosophy and beliefs, something that will not threaten to disappear overnight or be toppled by the gravity or the pressures of the situation.
There is a chance to regroup, a constant criteria from which positives can be drawn. While some squads in the division may struggle to find their identity when under intense scrutiny, there can be no semblance of doubt when Setien is involved. His demands do not change, nor do the functions he asks his players to fulfil each weekend.
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For a squad that has a blend of experienced professionals and young individuals, such reference points are key. Not only do they guide, but they protect individuals. This is a long-term project for Betis, with their exhilarating first couple of months in La Liga nothing more than a window into the future if they can pad out a squad capable of maintaining those performance levels.
Betis’ team selection on Monday evening only moves to illustrate the restrictions Setien currently has to work around. His first-choice XI are more than capable - that was made evident during a September that saw terrific wins against Deportivo, Levante and Real Madrid, but weaknesses are found when you scratch beneath the surface.
Without Zouhair Feddal, their central defensive partnership makes painful viewing, with Jordi Amat’s early own goal and yellow card paving the way for another troublesome performance alongside Aissa Mandi. When Riza Durmisi spent some time on the sidelines recently due to injury, Alin Tosca showed clear deficiencies at left-back, while Andres Guardado’s first-half omittance showed that Setien needs to risk experimenting with his other midfield options to try and avoid a creative reliance on the Mexican.
A five-goal margin of defeat is certainly hard for the club to take, but Betis will receive more blows as the season goes on. Setien’s style of play is risky and relies on his players being able to move the ball with pace and make the correct split-second decisions to avoid playing his exposed back four into trouble. The road to automation is not without bumps.
At times they can unravel, but it is not as though there is nothing to take heart from. An unexpectedly positive start to the campaign showed Betis fans what they can expect from their new team once the foundations have been properly laid and their squad has a depth of quality in all areas.
Setienismo isn’t perfect. It has clear flaws. But when they get it right, exuding sheer self-confidence in their very identity, Betis will be adored.
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