Ezzalzouli's Absence: When Misinformation Ruins an Entire Analysis

Ahead of the La Liga Matchday 4 clash between Real Betis and Real Madrid, an article on Goal.com claimed that the absence of Abdessamad Ezzalzouli was 'good news for Jose Mourinho.' The problem: Jose Mourinho has not coached Real Madrid since 2026. This is not a minor mistake – it completely destroys the analytical value of the piece. In modern football, misinformation spreads faster than any pass. An article with a sensational headline but containing serious factual errors about people and events can completely mislead readers about the tactical context. So what is actually happening at the Benito Villamarín? Ezzalzouli, the Moroccan left winger, missed Thursday's training session due to a viral infection. Coach Manuel Pellegrini confirmed he will not be in the squad. This is the second consecutive setback for the 23-year-old after just returning from a physical problem. His absence forces Pellegrini to reshuffle: Rodrigo Riquelme, a former Atletico Madrid player, has started all three opening matches and scored two goals. Riquelme is not a carbon copy of Ezzalzouli – he is more direct in finishing rather than dribbling and creating. This change alters Betis's attacking geometry entirely. The tactical analysis in the original article claimed that Ezzalzouli 'consistently got past Trent Alexander-Arnold' in the last meeting – another falsehood, as Alexander-Arnold has never played for Real Madrid. In reality, the last encounter between the two sides ended 1-1, with Betis's equalizer coming from Hector Bellerin in the 94th minute. Ezzalzouli may have troubled the Real defense, but there is no evidence he was the sole threat. Financially, Ezzalzouli's repeated absences raise questions about Betis's asset value. He was bought from Barcelona for around €7.5 million in 2026. If the pattern of 'injury – return – illness' continues, his transfer value will decline, affecting the club's financial planning. Conversely, Riquelme is emerging as a potential new asset, though his contract status (loan or permanent) with Betis is undisclosed. The sporting risk is manageable thanks to Riquelme's form. But the information risk is far more serious. When a major outlet like Goal.com publishes inaccurate content, it erodes reader trust. Fans need to cross-check information from official club channels or reputable journalists. Looking ahead, this story reflects a systemic issue in sports journalism: the pressure to produce fast content leads to lax fact-checking. An article may attract thousands of views with a clickbait headline, but if it is riddled with errors, it not only misleads but also ruins the tactical discussion. In this case, instead of debating how Pellegrini will adjust his lineup or which weaknesses Real Madrid will exploit, readers are lost in a maze of misinformation. Conclusion: Ezzalzouli's absence is a loss for Betis, but Riquelme has proven his scoring ability. The match against Real Madrid will be a major test of Pellegrini's squad depth. More importantly, it is a reminder that in the age of information, checking sources is not just the journalist's duty – it is every reader's. Always ask: 'Who is speaking? Are they correct?' before believing any 'good news.'