Vitor Roque, the promising Brazilian striker for Real Betis, found himself the subject of intense scrutiny after receiving a red card during his team's Conference League match against Gent on February 20, 2025. Despite the setback, Betis managed to secure their place in the knockout stage after winning the first leg with a commanding 3-0 lead.
The match, held at the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville, started with hopes for Roque to establish a firm footing under manager Manuel Pellegrini. Unfortunately for the young forward, his ambition backfired spectacularly. Roque's performance had already drawn cautious remarks; observers noted his visible nervousness throughout the game.
It was late in the match, at the 83rd minute, when Roque's challenge on Gent's defender Archie Brown cost him dearly. Initially assessed as just a yellow card, the decision was escalated to red upon VAR review after Roque stepped on Brown’s ankle. This led to not only his immediate ejection from the game but also opened the door for Gent to capitalize on their numerical advantage, scoring the only goal of the match just four minutes later. "Lance muito feio. Foi bem expulso. Apesar disso, o Bétis se classificou pra próxima fase," noted the report from Sem Clubismo.
This match marked Roque's latest opportunity to reclaim the confidence of Pellegrini, particularly as speculation mounts over his future with potential suitor Palmeiras actively pursuing his acquisition. The operations for Roque's transfer have intensified, especially after recent developments involving his parent club, Barcelona.
Manu Fajardo, the director of Real Betis, revealed on February 19, just prior to the match against Gent, "Houve uma ligação do Barcelona para o Betis... A intenção é que o atleta permaneça até o final da temporada." Fajardo underscored the extraordinary relationship between Barcelona and Betis, emphasizing, "Quero que fique. É um jogador que demonstrou, quando teve oportunidade, que pode ter um desempenho ótimo, imediato e com um futuro promissor." This highlights not only the eagerness from Betis to retain Roque but also the underlying friendship between the two clubs.
Roque's recent form has been disappointing as he found himself sidelined for the last four matches, with Pellegrini opting to start Bakambu instead. Even with the loss against Gent, Betis triumphed overall, advancing to the knockout stage of the UEFA Conference League, set to figure prominently following their aggregate victory over Gent.
Palmeiras aims to sign Roque amid these tumultuous circumstances. The Brazilian club is reportedly negotiating for Roque's immediate transfer, hoping to finalize the deal before the close of the current window. Leila Pereira, Palmeiras' president, expressed her ambitions, saying, "Se depender de mim, se eu pudesse decidir, sim... o que depende de terceiros eu não garanto absolutamente nada." This uncertainty surrounding Roque’s future adds another layer to the immediate aftermath of his dismissal.
While the potential transfer looms large, fans are divided on Roque's contribution. Social media was ablaze with criticisms after the red card incident, with Palmeiras supporters expressing their displeasure at his apparent inability to capitalize on key playing time. The question on many minds now is whether Roque can redeem himself and cement his place, either with Betis or another club.
Looking back on the match, the 1-0 defeat by Gent, punctuated by Roque’s red card, serves as both a setback and pivotal moment for his fledgling career. With pressure mounting and opportunities fleeting, time will tell if Vitor Roque can rise to the occasion and secure his desired role within the competitive ranks of professional football.
Next for Real Betis is the eagerly anticipated draw for the last 16 of the Conference League, which will take place on February 21, 2025, with their Liga schedule resuming shortly thereafter. The organization will be eager to see how all these developments will shape their midfield dynamics and whether Roque's actions will sway not just his future but also the club's ambitions for continental success.