Pellegrini Prepares Betis for Crucial Match Against Rayo Vallecano

omidbasir- Manuel Pellegrini, the head coach of Real Betis, addressed the media today at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol to discuss the team’s preparations for the upcoming match in LaLiga EA Sports against Rayo Vallecano, scheduled for tomorrow at La Cartuja. The verdiblancos aim to secure their fourth consecutive victory in the league, solidifying their fifth-place position while attempting to close the gap to the Champions League spots.

Regarding his team’s condition, Pellegrini stated, “The team is in good shape. We have had a normal week of training, which is beneficial for revisiting concepts and recovering players. We have high expectations of maintaining our recent strong performances, especially at home.”

On the opposition, Pellegrini commented, “Rayo Vallecano finds themselves in an unusual position at the lower end of the table, but they recently secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Atlético Madrid. Like all teams in LaLiga, they will pose a challenge if we do not approach the game with the necessary attitude, ambition, and rigor.”

Concerning injuries, he added, “Both Cucho, Chimy, and Bellerín have been cleared to play tomorrow. Fortunately, all three have recovered, giving us a broader selection of players for the bench.”

When discussing the goalkeeper situation, Pellegrini mentioned, “We will finalize the starting eleven tomorrow. However, there hasn’t been a rotation among the three goalkeepers in the last three matches. Pau was brought in following his recovery from an injury, and he has been performing well, which has been beneficial for his footballing development. We will evaluate the best lineup for both LaLiga and the Europa League.”

On tactical adjustments, he explained, “This team has always had various playing styles based on the same fundamental idea. The approach depends on player characteristics. It’s different to play two away matches compared to hosting a team that may not be inclined to attack. We must take the initiative. The players’ attributes allow us to adopt either a playmaker behind the striker or more dynamic players for a different tactical approach. Tactics are crucial for establishing a footballing philosophy, and their effectiveness can change based on player performance. It’s challenging to replicate the same approach at home as we did in the away matches, but the players’ form and functionality allow us to seek alternatives without altering the team’s potential. I don’t believe we played differently in our loss to Atlético compared to our 1-0 victory; the results come from player performance rather than the tactical system.”

Addressing Matías Almeyda’s suspension, Pellegrini remarked, “It’s unfortunate that Matías has received such a lengthy ban, but there’s little more I can say on the matter.”

On the return of Mendy, he stated, “Mendy’s presence in LaLiga with us was based on our belief in his abilities. Due to various circumstances, the position was filled, and he moved to Rayo Vallecano. I’m pleased to see him thriving there; however, decisions regarding transfer or permanence rest with the club.”

Regarding potential overconfidence, Pellegrini noted, “Prior to our three consecutive victories, we were having an excellent season, comparable to previous ones—currently fourth in the Europa League, in the quarter-finals of the Cup, and fifth in LaLiga. A significant defeat occurred against a team that has achieved the same against us and others, including Barcelona; such is the nature of football. We weren’t in a state of internal drama during that time, and we aren’t overflowing with joy now because we remain in that position and strive for more. Winning does instill confidence, but overconfidence can be quickly countered by football, just as rapid recovery from drama can occur with the next match. We recognize that we are playing at home against a team that needs points, and we must replicate not only our recent performances but our entire season’s efforts to maintain our campaign.

Speaking about the fifth place in the Champions League, Pellegrini concluded, “Having Champions League positioning from fifth place is a significant advantage. It is essential for all Spanish teams participating in Europe to strive for this. However, no competition is more important than another. In knockout formats, one could be eliminated at any moment, rendering prior efforts moot. The league’s final outcome, which reflects months of hard work, is what ultimately determines European qualification. We will not overlook LaLiga, nor will we neglect the Europa League; we will approach each match by assessing the best team for each competition.”