Cucho Hernández Ready for Girona Match After Recovery

omidbasir- Cucho Hernández is available for Manuel Pellegrini ahead of the match against Girona. The forward trained yesterday while wearing a protective mask following his nasal surgery last week. “I have been doing very little for a week, but it has helped me recover. I had some discomfort, but now I feel quite fresh and nearly fully recovered from the surgery. I started training normally and chose to wear the mask on the first day. I felt secure with it; it’s uncomfortable, but today I took the risk of training without it,” the Colombian stated in an interview with Betis TV.

Hernández does not view the upcoming break negatively. “It might be inconvenient for fans, but for teams like ours that play as frequently, having a rest for those not going to the national team is beneficial. We have a busy month ahead with many matches, and this ‘break,’ if we can call it that, is quite welcome,” he explained. With nine matches remaining until the Christmas break, he expressed, “The excitement is high. It would be wonderful to head into the holidays with good results and positive feelings. My focus is solely on Girona; everything else is in the future. I aim to perform well, win at home, and start this upcoming month and a half on the right foot.”

With five goals and two assists this season, he commented, “I wish I had more goals, but I believe I have contributed to the team in ways that might not be visible, such as creating space and opportunities for my teammates to score. I see myself as a ‘9’ who helps; I don’t think only of myself. I don’t stress about it; if the goal comes, it is welcomed.”

Discussing the team’s playing style, he noted, “We place significant importance on our wingers, as our game focuses on using the flanks and engaging those players effectively. I try to create space for them, pivot, and make diagonal runs to help them feel comfortable moving inwards. Sometimes I even turn and take a shot myself, which has worked well. I am satisfied with my personal performance thus far.”

Regarding the team’s ambition, he stated, “It’s a quality inherent in the team; we don’t talk about it much, but everyone knows what we can achieve. We approach each match as if it were the last because, working together with the team we have, it is challenging for Betis to lose, and we have demonstrated that. As long as the team remains united, works with humility, and understands its goals, we can accomplish something significant this season.”

On the home crowd, he remarked, “A couple of months ago, I said that it’s not about the venue; it’s about the people. Betis fans create an atmosphere wherever they go. The Benito Villamarín is home, and there’s no place like it, but we feel great at La Cartuja as well; the stadium and facilities are incredible. We are happy to see sixty or seventy thousand fans at every match.”

Discussing Isco’s return, he commented, “You always miss having your best players. He suffered an injury, but he looks very strong, confident, and eager. He is a positive leader, always the first to want to win and put pressure on the opponents. Football is something you don’t forget. He must regain his physical fitness, but his quality remains intact. He executes everything well; it’s magic every time he gets the ball, and he will regain his rhythm.”

Lastly, he spoke about Nelson Deossa, saying, “He is doing well. His start has been challenging, but we are here to support him. He knows we have a lot of faith in him and his abilities. If the club made an effort to bring him here, it is because they believe in his potential, and once he gains confidence, he will provide us with many contributions.”