Pellegrini Praises Team Performance After Key Victory

omidbasir- Manuel Pellegrini, the coach of Betis, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance at Son Moix, where they achieved a significant victory that creates a gap between them and their rivals in the fight for the fifth position. This win places them firmly in contention for a spot in the upcoming Champions League, now just four points behind Atlético Madrid and Villarreal.

Reflecting on the match, Pellegrini remarked, “I am very pleased with the team’s performance. We played an excellent game against a formidable opponent who had recently triumphed over Sevilla by four goals and secured two consecutive wins. The match was closely contested, but we had the clearer goal-scoring opportunities. We hit the post early on and had two or three dangerous counterattacks that could have secured a 3-1 lead. Although their goal brought them back into the game, we remained focused and intense.”

Pellegrini acknowledged that the team struggled initially until Abde scored, stating, “We were sitting back, waiting for them to make mistakes, but we needed to force those errors because they have dangerous players on the flanks and a great scorer like Muriqi. The first few minutes saw us a bit too defensive, yet they did not create significant chances. After hitting the post, I believe we settled into the game around the 15-minute mark and began to gain more control.”

He also praised Abde’s development: “I am very happy for him because he possesses great potential and has matured significantly over the past year. He has shown growth by being receptive to feedback and not insisting on being right. He has become more open to criticism and advice, which has helped him improve. His goal-scoring ability has greatly increased; previously, he created many plays, but few led to goals. Now, his finishing skills allow us to be in this favorable position, earning his spot through consistent effort in training.”

Discussing Bakambu’s goal, Pellegrini noted, “There are many factors at play. He suffered a tendon injury that sidelined him for several months, making it difficult for him to regain his form. However, he brings crucial elements to the team. We have Cucho and others who can play as forwards, and if we look at our total goals scored, we rank fourth or fifth. What we lacked was a creator to control the game in our style. I am proud of the squad, as they have positioned us well in LaLiga. Unfortunately, we stumbled in the Cup, but reaching the quarterfinals against a strong team like Atlético is commendable. We also performed well in the Europa League, making this a great season despite some setbacks that may seem disruptive from the outside, as we remain confident in our approach.”

Finally, Pellegrini addressed the Champions League aspirations, stating, “I have always maintained that we will strive for the highest possible positions. We are always ambitious, but it’s important to differentiate between aspiration and reality. There are strong teams ahead of us. Our goal is to accumulate as many points as possible, aiming for European qualification, and if it could be the Champions League, that would be fantastic. We have narrowed the gap with teams like Atlético Madrid and Villarreal, and we will continue to push until the end, also striving for a high finish in the Europa League.”