Pellegrini Praises Team Performance After Victory Against Villarreal

Manuel Pellegrini, the manager of Real Betis, expressed his positive evaluation of the team’s performance following their 2-0 victory against Villarreal at La Cartuja. This commendable outcome came after only a couple of days of preparation, as the team had played in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday while their opponent had the entire week to train.

Regarding the match, Pellegrini stated, “I believe the team played a very complete game from the first minute. We aimed to attack and were defensively solid, demonstrating good control against a formidable opponent. We scored two goals and secured three vital points, which are crucial for our pursuit of European qualification, especially as we strive to regain the consistency we’ve shown previously, despite experiencing some fluctuations in form.”

He further commented on the triumph despite notable player absences, saying, “I generally do not discuss injuries. I have always maintained that those available for each match are the most significant at that moment. The inclusion of Gio (Lo Celso) was particularly impactful; he played freely on the left, asserting control over the game, which posed a challenge for the opposition. Alongside the team’s coordinated movements, we effectively created offensive opportunities while maintaining nearly flawless defense.”

When asked about whether this victory marked a turning point, Pellegrini replied, “I wouldn’t necessarily label it a turning point. I have consistently said that the team has never been in crisis. All teams experience highs and lows. Our consistent performance allows us to remain competitive across all three competitions. While we gained three points today, there are still 54 more to play for, and we must continue striving for European qualification. Matches like this against teams such as Villarreal undoubtedly bolster our confidence, especially with 60,000 supporters in attendance.”

Pellegrini noted multiple positives from the evening, remarking, “Tonight brought good news, primarily because we defeated a team that is performing exceptionally well in the league and possesses a strong squad, which explains their current standing. Furthermore, despite some fluctuations in performance in recent matches, it is natural to encounter such moments but equally important to overcome them swiftly. Gio Lo Celso’s role today on the left provided him with greater freedom, and he controlled the ball effectively. Overall, without singling out individuals, the entire team performed admirably against a highly creative Villarreal side that managed very few shots on our goal. We scored two goals and had additional scoring opportunities.”

On the topic of injuries, he stated, “As always, I do not use player absences as an excuse. We have many injured players, but I believe the squad has responded well in all three competitions with the resources available. I am very pleased with both individual performances and the collective cohesion of the team, especially considering the support of 60,000 fans.”

Praising Lo Celso, Pellegrini said, “He is a player from whom we demand a lot because he showcases his quality. When evaluating player performance, I always measure it against the expectations we have for them. I am very happy for Gio; he should consistently leave the field to applause rather than criticism for any momentary character challenges he must learn to overcome. This is not due to a lack of effort or desire. He handles criticism well, so I am delighted for him, as well as for all the other players who may have faced scrutiny, like Chimy Ávila, who also performed well today despite not scoring. Our squad is adept at keeping us competitive in all three competitions.”

Addressing the condition of Deossa, he remarked, “We will see how he progresses between today and tomorrow. Hopefully, it was just a temporary issue from tonight, but I cannot provide a definitive answer at this moment as it will depend largely on his health status tomorrow.”

Regarding the physical condition of Antony and Amrabat, he added, “Antony is experiencing some discomfort in his pubis and has a case of pubalgia; we will investigate further since he has played a lot recently. We always try to manage rotation to balance playing time. After a couple of days of rest, we hope he will be fine. As for Amrabat, I cannot provide an update; he is still dealing with the aftereffects of a blow from Isco. We will have a clearer picture when he returns.”