Complex sentence: In 1987--88, Begiristain helped Real finish runners-up in both league and cup, losing in both competitions to FC Barcelona; within a month of the latter he, along with Bakero and López Rekarte, signed for the Catalonian club.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1987--88, Begiristain helped Real finish runners-up in both league and cup, losing in both competitions to FC Barcelona. Within a month of the latter he, along with Bakero and López Rekarte, signed for the Catalonian club.