Ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo could yet return for Real Betis as they kick off their Europa League campaign against Rangers.
That’s according to legendary Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini, who claims that he hasn’t given up hope regarding the 40-year-old stopper.
It comes with Real Betis experiencing something of an injury crisis heading into the Europa League match with Rangers, the La Liga outfit losing second choice stopper Rui Silva at the weekend.
The third choice option, Fran Vietes, had a shocker in Real Betis’ 5-0 demolition at the hands of Barcelona and Rangers fans have had one eye on the situation this week.
But with Claudio Bravo – signed by Man City for £13.75m and a Premier League winner in 2017/18 – returning to training Real Betis could yet throw the veteran in against Rangers.
The goalkeeper is yet to play for the Spanish club this season.
Real Betis could get Claudio Bravo boost against Rangers
Manuel Pellegrini has also claimed that should Fran Vietes be called upon, then he has every faith in the inexperienced 24-year-old’s ability to step up
“Claudio did train,” Manuel Pellegrini said. “But we will wait until tomorrow to see and make absolutely sure that Claudio is 100 percent to play against Rangers.
“I hope he will be OK but I cannot say for certain. But if you ask me now if I’m concerned, no, because if he doesn’t play as we also have a young goalkeeper Fran Vietes who I trust a lot.”
Rangers are not without their own injury problems heading into the match and go into the Europa League opener with Real Betis without three key players.
Influential playmaker Todd Cantwell has been out since the crushing Old Firm defeat to Celtic and has now been joined by Brazilian striker Danilo and Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin.
Danilo is facing up to two months out with a fractured cheekbone whilst Nicolas Raskin, like Todd Cantwell, will be out until after the October international break.
