Chesterfield to host pre-season friendly between European giants

Chesterfield are getting set to host a pre-season friendly between European giants later this summer with plans being revealed.

The National League outfit have announced that the Technique Stadium, which has a capacity of 10,504 and has previously be the home of England youth matches, will welcome Spanish side Real Betis and French outfit Marseille.

The game is expected to be played out on Wednesday the 27th of July as part of Marseille’s summer tour, which also takes in games against Norwich City and Middlesbrough.

Spireites chief executive John Croot said, as per Derbyshire Times, that it was ‘great to be involved in bringing two top European clubs to Chesterfield’ and that it was a ‘great showcase across the world for Chesterfield.’

Chesterfield spoke more on the two European teams, writing about the two teams on their website: Formed in 1907, Real Betis became the second team to be set up in Seville after their fierce rivals Sevilla.

Betis have won 13 titles during their history with one La Liga title, seven Segunda Division title, three Copa Del Reys, one Tercera Division and one Campeonato Regional Sur.

Their one and only La Liga title came in 1935, finishing one point ahead of Real Madrid, then known as just Madrid FC.

Los Verdiblancos have played in 11 seasons of European football – with their latest entry coming in the most recent season, but they fell to eventual winners of the Europa League, Eintracht Frankfurt.

Manuel Pellegrini is the current manager of Real Betis, and the Argentinian has plenty of managerial experience.

The former centre-back has won the UEFA Intertoto Cup with Villarreal in 2004 as well as winning the Premier League with Manchester City in 2014.

The Spanish side have some brilliant players in their ranks including the likes of Claudio Bravo, Nabil Fekir and Borja Iglesias.

Betis enjoyed a fantastic 2021/22 season as they finished fifth in La Liga; that alone would have been good enough for European football. However, Beticos won their first Copa del Rey in 17 years. After the game finished 1-1 after 120 minutes, Real Betis beat Valencia 5-4 on penalties to win the famous trophy.

Marseille

Founded in 1899, Marseille have become a staple of French football, winning 30 trophies – second only to Paris Saint-Germain.

Throughout their 122-year history they have won ten Ligue 1 titles, one Ligue 2, ten Coupe de Frances, two Coupe de la Ligues, three Trophee des Champions’ and one Coup Charles Drago.

On top of that, Les Olympiens also have European pedigree. Marseille won the first iteration of the renamed Champions League as they beat AC Milan in the final in Munich. With that win, they became the first and only French club to achieve the feat.

The French side have also won the Intertoto Cup in 2005; they have been runners-up in a European Cup final and three UEFA Cup/Europa League finals – most recently in the 2019 final against Atletico Madrid.

Jorge Sampaoli is currently at the helm at the Stade Velodrome as he has just completed his first full season in charge.

The 62-year-old has managed a host of different clubs with his biggest achievement coming in 2015 when he guided Chile to their first Copa America title. Following a 0-0 draw after extra time, La Roja got the better of Lionel Messi’s Argentina with a 4-1 win on penalties.

Marseille hosts a squad of incredible players including the likes of World Cup winner Steve Mandanda as well as their captain and 2021/22 Player of the Season Dimitri Payet.

In 2021/22, OM finished second in Ligue 1, and they will be looking to build on that good season with Champions League football to the south of France.

Fans reacted as Chesterfield gets set to host a pre-season friendly between European giants with ticket details set to be announced…

@Brad583546: I mean it’s the obvious choice

@Matlock_TownFC: Chuck the both of us in and I’m smelling a tournament 👀

@SteelsSp: Always had a soft spot for @OM_English since @chriswaddle93 played for them. Sure he’ll be going to this game too.

@_bst99: fekir canales payet and guendouzi having it off down chez 😭😭

@AffordableFooty: One for the diary

@Jackpierce88: Ecuador vs Australia at The New Den has evolved, @FootballCliches.

@JudeWilson1905: Bit of a weird one but cant complain

@Wheddsta: Whaaaat 😂😂😂

@NathanBarclay98: Good day out this

@curtiskilcullen: Payet guendouzi fekir In chesterfield of all places to get this game played 😂😂😂

@jjacquesnecker: In todays episode of what the fuck

@Dayr_Tdd: Fair bloody play

@DWL2001: These big European teams rocking upto Chez town hahahahahahaha hope to see Dimitri Payet getting dragged out of Moo bar at 5am

@bruceywells: The most random thing I’ve read in a while

@WithyCS: Lots of surprises so far this summer but this will take some beating..

@TomTB1995: In news you didn’t expect to read this week…

@adam_hartshorn: Weirdest thing I’ve ever seen town tweet, and that’s saying something

@BenJoyceFoot: More nonsense like this please, you just love to see it

@joelshooter47: Lille vs Espanyol at the Mazuma please.

@ArgyleUp: How the fuck have a non league club managed this

@puffpuff65: Strange fixture that, but I love them and wanna see more of it

@RussWWFC: They must want to visit the Beer Parlour and the North Sea Fish bar which are both great. I wonder if in return, a Chesterfield v Burton Albion friendly will be played in Betis?

@ryandickens_: Payet on loan would be nice

@bellender67: Seems odd.

@JordanBlack15: Real Betis vs Marseille in chesterfield, strange one that

@AIex_CFC: Dimitri Payet at the technique

@SpireiteGazette: One player reveal at our big Tesco and now we’re massive #Spireites

@BigD52__: I refuse to believe we’re not a social experiment at this stage

pic.twitter.com/NudhrIXQVB

— Luke (@lukeCFC25) June 23, 2022

Remember when we had Besiktas vs Mainz at the Moss Rose 2014 🔵⚪️ https://t.co/zVhpPcn7xp pic.twitter.com/hK56EJ1zgQ

— Silkmen Army (@silkmenarmy) June 23, 2022