Abde Ezzalzouli Left Out of Champions League Squad by Pellegrini

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

On the eve of Real Betis’ first UEFA Champions League outing of the season, Manuel Pellegrini has left the Morocco international out of his squad for Tuesday night’s clash against Lille, a decision that lands as a fresh blow for the winger.

Pellegrini announced his list on Sunday. It carried weighty names and plenty of creative talent: Isco, Giovani Lo Celso, Antony, Dani Ceballos. But no Ezzalzouli.

For the 22-year-old, it extends a difficult spell. He had already missed Betis’ recent league meeting with Real Madrid because of a viral infection. That setback came just as he seemed ready to turn a corner.

The winger had only just reappeared on the scene, getting minutes under his belt against Levante in the previous round after working his way back from earlier physical problems. That cameo looked like the first step towards a sustained run. Instead, the illness flared up and shut the door again, this time on one of the biggest stages of all.

His omission for the Lille tie is not just about one match. Betis are stepping into the intensity of European competition, where every performance can reshape a player’s standing in the squad. For Ezzalzouli, each missed opportunity feels larger than the last.

The objective now is brutally clear: recover quickly, regain full fitness, and convince Pellegrini he belongs back in the rotation. With Betis juggling domestic and European commitments, chances will come.

The question is whether Ezzalzouli will be ready in time to seize the next one.