1996–97 Real Betis season

Real Betis Balompíé
1996–97 season
President	Manuel Ruiz de Lopera
Manager	Lorenzo Serra Ferrer
Stadium	Benito Villamarin
La Liga	4th
Copa del Rey	Runner-up ; (in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup)
Top goalscorer	League: ; Alfonso (25); All: ; Alfonso (27)
Home colours	Away colours
	← 1995–96 1997–98 →

Last updated July 22, 2025

A season after promotion, Betis finished third and reached the Copa del Rey final.

Squad

Squad at end of season^[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	ESP	Pedro Jaro
2	DF	ESP	Jaime
3	DF	ESP	Luis Fernández
4	DF	ESP	Juan Antonio Ureña
5	DF	ESP	Josete
6	DF	ESP	Juan Merino
7	MF	ESP	Alexis Trujillo
8	MF	ESP	Luis Márquez
9	FW	ARG	Cristián Tolisso
10	MF	ESP	Juanjo Cañas
11	FW	ESP	Alfonso
12	MF	YUG	Albert Nađ
13	GK	ESP	Toni Prats


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
14	DF	ESP	Roberto Ríos
15	FW	ESP	Pier
16	FW	POL	Wojciech Kowalczyk
17	DF	CRO	Robert Jarni
18	MF	CRO	Nenad Bjelica
19	FW	ESP	Juan Sabas
20	DF	ESP	Tomás Olías
21	DF	BIH	Risto Vidaković
25	MF	NGA	Finidi George
26	DF	ESP	Juan Redondo
27	MF	ESP	Capi
28	DF	ESP	Fernando Varela
29	GK	ESP	José Manuel Pinto

Transfers

In
Pos.	Name	from	Type
MF	Finidi George	Ajax Amsterdam
DF	Luis Fernandez	Racing Santander
MF	Albert Nađ	Partizan Belgrade
GK	Toni Prats	Celta
MF	Nenad Bjelica	Albacete

Out
Pos.	Name	To	Type
GK	José Luis Diezma	Celta
DF	Sánchez Jara	Racing Santander
MF	Oscar Arpon	Racing Santander
MF	Jose Mari	Athletic Bilbao

Winter

In
Pos.	Name	from	Type
DF	Juan Redondo	Betis B
MF	Capi	Betis B
MF	Fernando Varela	Betis B

Out
Pos.	Name	To	Type
FW	Vlada Stošić	Atlante

Competitions

La Liga

League table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
2	Barcelona	42	28	6	8	102	48	+54	90	Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round
3	Deportivo La Coruña	42	21	14	7	57	30	+27	77^[a]	Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
4	Real Betis	42	21	14	7	81	46	+35	77^[a]	Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round ^[b]
5	Atlético Madrid	42	20	11	11	76	64	+12	71	Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
6	Athletic Bilbao	42	16	16	10	72	57	+15	64^[c]	Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round

Source: LFP
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 6) number of goals scored.
Notes:

1 2 BET 1–2 DEP; DEP 3–0 BET
↑ Since Barcelona, winners of 1996–97 Copa del Rey, was qualified for the 1997–98 UEFA Champions League, losing cup finalists Real Betis earned a spot in the first round of the 1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
↑ VLD 0–0 ATH; ATH 0–0 VLD

Results by round

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42
Ground	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H
Result	W	W	D	W	L	W	D	W	D	L	D	W	D	W	W	W	W	D	L	W	W	W	D	D	L	W	W	W	W	W	D	D	W	D	W	D	L	D	D	L	L	W
Position	2	2	1	1	4	3	4	4	4	4	5	5	4	4	4	4	4	4	3	3	3	3	2	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	4	4	3	3	3	4

Source: Competitive matches
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; = Leader, 1997–98 UEFA Champions League Group stage ; = 1997–98 UEFA Champions League Qualifying round ; = 1997–98 UEFA Cup First round ; = 1996–97 La Liga#Relegation playoff ; = 1997–98 Segunda División ; R = 1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup

Matches

1 September 1996 (1996-09-01)1	Real Betis	3–0	Athletic de Bilbao	Sevilla
	Finidi14' Roberto Rios44' Sabas85'			Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 45000

9 September 1996 (1996-09-09)2	CF Extremadura	0–3	Real Betis	Almendralejo
			Alfonso 57' Pier82' Jarni88'	Stadium: Francisco de la Hera Attendance: 9000

16 September 1996 (1996-09-16)3	Real Betis	1–1	Real Madrid	Sevilla
	Alfonso28'		Roberto Carlos44'	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 45000

22 September 1996 (1996-09-22)4	RC Celta	0–2	Real Betis	Vigo
			46' Alexis Olias 90'	Stadium: Balaídos

28 September 1996 (1996-09-28)5	Real Betis	1–2	Deportivo La Coruña	Sevilla
	Jarni 2'		Rivaldo 70' Madar 79'	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 45,000

2 October 1996 (1996-10-02)6	Hércules CF	0–1	Real Betis	Alicante
			Alfonso 75'	Stadium: José Rico Perez Attendance: 15,000

12 October 1996 (1996-10-12)7	Atlético de Madrid	2–2	Real Betis	Madrid
	Juan Carlos 9' Simeone 17'		Alfonso 1' Sabas 84'	Stadium: Vicente Calderón Attendance: 40,000

22 October 1996 (1996-10-22)8	Real Betis	3–0	Rayo Vallecano	Sevilla
	Finidi 30' Pier 56' Alfonso 71'			Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 40,000

23 October 1996 (1996-10-23)9	Real Oviedo	1–1	Real Betis	Oviedo
	Manel 9'		Kowalczyk 27'	Stadium: Carlos Tartiere Attendance: 11,700

26 October 1996 (1996-10-26)10	Real Betis	1–2	RCD Espanyol	Sevilla
	Pier 20'		Benitez 18' Lardin 44' (pen.)	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 40,600

2 November 1996 (1996-11-02)11	Racing de Santander	1–1	Real Betis	Santander
	Correa 79' (pen.)		Sabas 90'	Stadium: El Sardinero Attendance: 16,000

10 November 1996 (1996-11-10)12	Real Betis	2–1	Real Sociedad	Sevilla
	Alfonso 42' Olías 66'		Luis Perez 25'	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 42,000

17 November 1996 (1996-11-17)13	Real Zaragoza	2–2	Real Betis	Zaragoza
	Dani 33' Dani 81'		Alexis 48' Alexis 86' (pen.)	Stadium: La Romareda Referee: 20,000

24 November 1996 (1996-11-24)14	Real Betis	3–1	CD Tenerife	Sevilla
	Pier 60' Finidi George 66' Finidi George 89'		28' Chano	Stadium: Benito Villamarin

1 December 1996 (1996-12-01)15	SD Compostela	0–2	Real Betis	Santiago de Compostela
			7' Alfonso 73'Finidi George	Stadium: San Lázaro Attendance: 9,000

8 December 1996 (1996-12-08)16	Real Betis	5–1	CD Logroñés	Sevilla
	Vidakovic 18' Pier 37' Pier 71' Roberto Rios53' Roberto Rios 67'		49' Clotet	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 40,000

22 December 1996 (1996-12-22)17	Sevilla FC	0–3	Real Betis	Sevilla
			39' (pen.)Alexis 54'Alfonso 55'Olias	Stadium: Sánchez Pizjuán Attendance: 32,530

6 January 1997 (1997-01-06)18	Real Betis	1–1	Valencia CF	Sevilla
	Alexis 72' (pen.)	Report	80' Moya	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 35,000

19 January 1997 (1997-01-19)20	Real Betis	2–4	FC Barcelona	Sevilla
	Jarni 29' Jarni 31'	Report	45' Luis Enrique 62' Luis Enrique 74'Ronaldo 79' Luis Enrique	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 45,000

27 January 1997 (1997-01-27)21	Real Valladolid	1–3	Real Betis	Valladolid
	Victor 45'	Report	39' (pen.) Alexis 51' Kowalczyk 88' Kowalczyk	Stadium: José Zorrilla Attendance: 15,000

2 February 1997 (1997-02-02)22	Athletic de Bilbao	0–3	Real Betis	Bilbao
		Report	4' Alfonso 25' Olias 72' Kowalczyk 72	Stadium: San Mamés Attendance: 40,000

9 February 1997 (1997-02-09)23	Real Betis	3–1	CF Extremadura	Sevilla
	Alfonso 69' Finidi 71' Pier 83'	Report	Ramis 56'	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 35,000

15 February 1997 (1997-02-15)24	Real Madrid	2–2	Real Betis	Madrid
	Mijatović 19' Panucci 53'	Report	6' Alfonso 60' Finidi George	Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 100,000

19 February 1997 (1997-02-19)25	Real Betis	1–1	RC Celta	Sevilla
	Alfonso60'	Report	79' Mazinho	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 40,000

23 February 1997 (1997-02-23)26	Deportivo La Coruña	3–0	Real Betis	A Coruña
	Rivaldo 36' Nando 39' Rivaldo 59'	Report		Stadium: Riazor Attendance: 22,000

2 March 1997 (1997-03-02)27	Real Betis	2–1	Hércules CF	Sevilla
	Alfonso 8' Finidi 63'		Miljanovic 90'	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 30,000

6 March 1997 (1997-03-06)19	Sporting de Gijón	2–4	Real Betis	Gijón
	Lediakhov 6' Tcheryshev 89'	Report	37' Alfonso 46' Olias 75' Kowalczyck 88' Alfonso	Stadium: El Molinon Attendance: 17,350

9 March 1997 (1997-03-09)28	Real Betis	3–2	Atlético de Madrid	Sevilla
	Alfonso 36' Alfonso 53' Alfonso90'		29' Esnaider Vidakovic 68' (own goal)	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 43,000

16 March 1997 (1997-03-16)29	Rayo Vallecano	0–4	Real Betis	Madrid
		Report	Alfonso 35' Alfonso 55' Alfonso 59' (pen.) Pier 73'	Stadium: Vallecas Attendance: 10,000

22 March 1997 (1997-03-22)30	Real Betis	4–0	Real Oviedo	Sevilla
	Pier 21' Alfonso 52' Bjelica 88' Finidi 90'	Report		Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 40,000

30 March 1997 (1997-03-30)31	RCD Espanyol	0–0	Real Betis	Barcelona
		Report		Stadium: Sarrià Attendance: 25,000

6 April 1997 (1997-04-06)32	Real Betis	2–2	Racing de Santander	Sevilla
	Alberto 6' (own goal) Alfonso 39'	Report	44' Merino 88' Alberto	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 40,000

13 April 1997 (1997-04-13)33	Real Sociedad	0–1	Real Betis	San Sebastián
		Report	90' Josete	Stadium: Anoeta Attendance: 22,000

16 April 1997 (1997-04-16)34	Real Betis	2–2	Real Zaragoza	Sevilla
	Alfonso 4' Alfonso 28' (pen.)	Report	31' Nayim 83' (pen.) Aragon	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 40,000

19 April 1997 (1997-04-19)35	CD Tenerife	0–1	Real Betis	Santa Cruz de Tenerife
			27' Jokanovic	Stadium: Heliodoro Rodríguez López Attendance: 15,000

4 May 1997 (1997-05-04)36	Real Betis	0–0	SD Compostela	Sevilla
				Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 45,000

11 May 1997 (1997-05-11)37	Logroñés	2–1	Real Betis	Logroño
	Ruben Sosa 27' Bjelica 88'		64' Manel	Stadium: Las Gaunas Attendance: 10,000

17 May 1997 (1997-05-17)38	Real Betis	3–3	Sevilla FC	Sevilla
	Jarni 8' Jarni 47' Cañas88'		27' (pen.) Prosinecki 90' Salva 91' Galvan	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 44,000

26 May 1997 (1997-05-26)39	Valencia CF	1–1	Real Betis	Valencia
	Vlaovic 69'		9' Cañas	Stadium: Mestalla Attendance: 40,000

31 May 1997 (1997-05-31)40	Real Betis	0–1	Sporting de Gijón	Sevilla
			55' Tcherysev	Stadium: Benito Villamarin Attendance: 30,000

15 June 1997 (1997-06-15)41	FC Barcelona	3–0	Real Betis	Barcelona
	Oscar 44' Stoichkov 75' Luis Enrique 83'			Stadium: Camp Nou Attendance: 70,000

21 June 1997 (1997-06-21)42	Real Betis	2–0	Real Valladolid	Barcelona
	Kowalczyk 11' Finidi 74'			Stadium: Camp Nou

Copa del Rey

Second Round

6 November 1996 (1996-11-06)	Écija Balompié	1–2	Real Betis	Écija
				Stadium: Estadio San Pablo

27 November 1996 (1996-11-27)	Real Betis	2–0	Écija Balompié	Sevilla
				Stadium: Benito Villamarin

Third Round

8 January 1997 (1997-01-08)	Granada CF	0–1	Real Betis	Granada
				Stadium: Los Cármenes

15 January 1997 (1997-01-15)	Real Betis	3–0	Granada CF	Sevilla
				Stadium: Benito Villamarin

Eightfinals

30 January 1997	CD Tenerife	0–2	Real Betis	Santa Cruz de Tenerife
18:30 CET		Report (in Spanish)	Pier 41' Kowalczyk 66'	Stadium: Heliodoro Rodríguez López Attendance: 22,000 Referee: Esquinas Torres

5 February 1997	Real Betis	3–0	CD Tenerife	Sevilla
21:30 CET	Merino 75' Bjelica 87' Cañas 88'	Report (in Spanish)		Stadium: Benito Villamarín Attendance: 28,000 Referee: Daudén Ibáñez

Quarterfinals

26 February 1997	Real Betis	2–0	Rayo Vallecano	Seville
20:00 CET	Sabas 13' (pen.) Alfonso 81'	Report (in Spanish)		Stadium: Benito Villamarín Attendance: 18,000 Referee: Iturralde González

13 March 1997	Rayo Vallecano	1–2	Real Betis	Vallecas
22:00 CET	Guilherme 65'	Report (in Spanish)	Olías 28' Cañas 90'	Stadium: Nuevo Estadio de Vallecas Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Daudén Ibáñez

Semifinals

25 March 19971	Real Betis	1–0	Celta Vigo	Sevilla
21:30 CET	Bjelica 71'	Report (in Spanish)	Geli 82'	Stadium: Benito Villamarín Attendance: 28,000 Referee: García-Aranda

2 April 19972	Celta Vigo	1–1	Real Betis	Vigo
21:30 CET	Ratković 33' 62'	Report (in Spanish)	Alexis 87' Ureña 62'	Stadium: Balaídos Attendance: 33,000 Referee: Esquinas Torres

Final

28 June 1997 (1997-06-28)	Real Betis	2–3	FC Barcelona	Madrid
	Alfonso 11' Nadj 14' Alexis 26' Jaime Quesada 77' Finidi 82' 89'	Report	Figo 41'45' Ferrer 54' De la Peña 72' Pizzi 85' Figo 114'	Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 82,498 Referee: Ansuategui Roca

Statistics

Player statistics

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		La Liga		Copa del Rey
No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
13	GK	ESP	Toni Prats	40	-45	40	-45	0	0
2	DF	ESP	Jaime	33	0	19+5	0	8+1	0
21	DF	BIH	Risto Vidaković	35	6	30	1	5	5
14	DF	ESP	Roberto Ríos	45	3	35+1	3	7+2	0
20	DF	ESP	Tomás Olías	38	6	25+3	5	9+1	1
25	MF	NGA	Finidi George	42	11	33+3	10	5+1	1
7	MF	ESP	Alexis	45	7	38	6	7	1
6	MF	ESP	Juan Merino	43	1	35+1	0	6+1	1
17	MF	CRO	Robert Jarni	42	5	34+2	5	5+1	0
11	FW	ESP	Alfonso	51	27	40+1	25	7+3	2
15	FW	ESP	Pier	42	11	26+8	9	6+2	2
1	GK	ESP	Pedro Jaro	13	-7	2	-1	11	-6
12	MF	YUG	Albert Nađ	36	0	23+7	0	5+1	0
10	MF	ESP	Cañas	43	5	19+13	2	9+2	3
16	FW	POL	Wojciech Kowalczyk	30	8	14+12	6	3+1	2
18	MF	CRO	Nenad Bjelica	35	4	10+17	2	3+5	2
3	DF	ESP	Luis Fernández	22	0	18	0	4	0
19	FW	ESP	Juan Sabas	31	7	2+21	3	6+2	4
8	MF	ESP	Luis Márquez	18	0	7+4	0	5+2	0
5	DF	ESP	Josete	13	1	6+3	1	2+2	0
4	DF	ESP	Juan Antonio Ureña	17	0	5+5	0	6+1	0
28	DF	ESP	Fernando Varela	3	0	1+2	0
27	MF	ESP	Capi	2	0	0+2	0
26	DF	ESP	Juan Redondo	3	0	0+2	0	0+1	0
9	FW	YUG	Vlada Stosic	2	1	0	0	2	1

Source: https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t1996-978.html?tab=partits

References

↑ "FootballSquads - Betis - 1996/97".

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[table_hth_BET0.29142131344016-2] 1 2 BET 1–2 DEP; DEP 3–0 BET

[table_note_res_UCWC10.29142131344016-3] Since Barcelona, winners of 1996–97 Copa del Rey, was qualified for the 1997–98 UEFA Champions League, losing cup finalists Real Betis earned a spot in the first round of the 1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

[table_hth_VLD0.29142131344016-4] VLD 0–0 ATH; ATH 0–0 VLD

[1] "FootballSquads - Betis - 1996/97".

[1]

[a]

[b]

[c]

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