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Betis Plays Lille with Stadium Roof Closed

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Listen to the story

Real Betis played an away match against French club Lille, and the game took place under a closed roof.

A closed roof is used to cover the stadium and protect the pitch and fans from weather.

After the match, Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini spoke to journalists in the mixed zone.

The mixed zone is the area where players and coaches meet reporters after a game.

Pellegrini said that qualifying for the Champions League had not been the team's main goal this season.

The Champions League is Europe's most important club football competition.

His comment suggests the club had other priorities, even though reaching this competition is a great achievement.

Betis player Marc Bartra also gave his reaction after the game.

A reaction here means what someone says or feels right after something happens.

Bartra described the night as one of the best of his career, or maybe even the very best.

A career includes all the years a person has worked in professional football.

His words show how meaningful this particular match was for him personally.

Both comments suggest that the match against Lille was an emotional and important occasion for the Betis squad.

The closed roof added a unique atmosphere to what was already a memorable European night for the Spanish club.

Vocabulary6 words

closed roof
a stadium top that is shut to cover the field
coach
the person who trains and leads a team
mixed zone
the place where players talk to reporters after a match
Champions League
the top football competition for clubs in Europe
reaction
what someone says or feels right after an event
career
all the years someone works in one job

Quiz

1. Where did the Betis vs Lille match take place, in terms of conditions?
2. What did Pellegrini say about the Champions League?
3. How did Bartra describe the night?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Real Betis played an away match against French club _____, and the game took place under a closed _____.

A closed roof is used to cover the stadium and protect the pitch and _____ from weather.

After the match, Betis coach Manuel _____ spoke to journalists in the mixed zone.

The mixed zone is the area where players and coaches meet _____ after a game.

Pellegrini said that qualifying for the _____ had not been the team's main goal this season.

Betis player Marc _____ also gave his reaction after the game.

Bartra described the night as one of the best of his _____.

The closed roof added a unique _____ to what was already a memorable European night.

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