Setien returns to the Villamarin nine months after being sacked by Real Betis

A number of personnel familiar to either side will meet again at the Estadio Benito Villamarin as Real Betis host Barcelona on Sunday night, but the focus will be largely on Blaugrana coach Quique Setien.

Carlos Alena is on loan at Betis from Barcelona, while Junior Firpo left Los Verdiblancos for the Blaugrana in the summer.

Emerson is on the books at Betis though the Catalans bought him in a joint operation with the Andalusians and can purchase him outright in 2021, while Alex Moreno, Cristian Tello and Marc Bartra have a Barcelona past.

Yet Setien spent two years at the Villamarin as coach between 2017 and 2019, in which time there were plenty of ups and downs.

In his first season in charge, Setien revolutionised the team's style of play and led Betis to a Europa League place with some of the most entertaining football in Spain.

The second campaign started in similar fashion, as the team excelled in Europe and

There were some famous results on the way as well, with away wins against AC Milan and Barcelona.

But things took a downward turn later on in the campaign which spelled the beginning of the end, with eliminations from the Europa League and the Copa del Rey spelling the end of a rollercoaster reign.

It was not just Betis' bad form which ended Setien's time in charge, but his preference for performances over results which made a divorce inevitable.

When results failed to arrive at the start of Rubi's time in charge this season, Setien's name was even earmarked as a possible replacement, despite voices of displeasure from sections of the Betis support.

Despite a bitter end to his two years at Betis, Setien's football and those famous wins at San Siro and Camp Nou among others will be forever remembered by the Betis faithful.