Manuel Pellegrini, technician of the Betis, positively valued the performance of his team in the tie to one against the Bayer Leverkusen, in the match of the third day of the UEFA Europa League. The Chilean believes that the result was fair and that the leadership of the group will not be decided in the next game, in the visit to Germany.
Match analysis
“It was a very good game, with two teams that played very well. Bayer started very strong, they had a couple of opportunities in the first 15 minutes. Then we equalized the intensity to recover the ball because they play well and if you give them time and space are dangerous. Then they began to fade and we had several opportunities to make the mark. An even first half in which they started better and we finished very well. A second half where perhaps there were less dangerous actions in the area, but we got into advantage 1-0. Before the penalty we had a couple of clear opportunities. And then in a rather unfortunate goal they managed to tie the game, we are very sorry and the last 10 minutes were dominated by them and they had a chance. In general terms, very good game and a point that seems fair to both teams. “
Will Germany’s party be decisive for the leadership?
“No, not at all, I don’t know what result will happen in Germany, and whatever happens, there will be six points left to be played. As long as the mathematics does not give the classification, at that level you have to fight until the last game to try to qualify and that is what let’s do”.
The return of Diego Lainez
“Diego started the second half quite well, he faced his sector several times, he gave us danger. Then he was diluted little by little, he was feeling the downtime, but he is always an important alternative for us.”
Satisfied with the rotations?
“I always say the same thing, rotations can be done if the performance of the players is even. The squad is very involved, we continue to be leaders with Bayer in Europe, we fight in LaLiga, now there are three important games coming for us, two at home and then against Atlético de Madrid. To the extent that after the games we do a performance analysis and a medical report, we evaluate the recovery and we try to make the best eleven in each game to start. There is always the importance of changes because we are 15 or 16 who participate in the game and there is a great response from the squad “.
The fans, proud of their team
“Yes, of course we do, we discussed it with the squad, the team has managed to generate an important illusion in the fans based on how they play in the team and the performance of the players. It is important to always win, but it was a good show of football for both teams and of course people left happy because they had fun, happier if we had won. But I think there was a good game with two very good teams. “
The change of the covid stage to 40,000 spectators today
“One knew and understood the importance of the fans in the stadium. Once the covid effect occurred, which could not come any more, in which the matches looked like a funeral, the atmosphere doubled and tripled. Now they release pressure, energy. and the desire to support the team is reflected in our stands “.
Edgar’s great performance
“It’s not that a player can’t play two or three games in a row, they can do it without problem, more young players who recover quickly. But there are other players with great performance. I’m happy for Edgar. He’s a very applied player, very intense. In the team, with the number of games, there is no starting eleven, but Edgar game after game is proving his worth. And it has helped him a lot to be training every day with experienced players like Víctor Ruiz, Marc Bartra and Pezzella. against offensive players who demand a lot from him in training. He is one more player who is trying to respond on all fronts. He has no problem playing the next game, we will see after the recovery which is the best eleven to start with Rayo “.
The unfortunate play of 1-1 at own goal
“An unfortunate situation in a game that costs a goal is different from a mistake or a personal error. I don’t think William is affected and I don’t think anyone is going to blame him for a ball that bounces off his back, he didn’t have any Responsibility in the goal. It is different than if you make a mistake, lose a ball or take a penalty. I don’t think William has any problems with that. “
The penalty review in the VAR
“The VAR has improved a lot, the players demand less, they do not get anything by going over the referee because they are going to review it upstairs. But it gives more justice in some blunders. It is not possible to be reviewing all the plays. The hand was clear. Then you had to see the interpretation, if it was a penalty or not, but I think that the Bayer Leverkusen coach was also happy, he has a great team that is always in Europe, in the Champions League normally, and today he played a great game. “
Will they try not to place the Monday before Ferencváros?
“That is long term … Now we are going to park the Europa League and get into LaLiga, with two games at home and Atlético, before going to Germany. I don’t think in any case that today’s performance has been influenced by play on Monday. You can prepare the game better if you have one more day, we have had to do it by video and by movements without dynamics. Of course the game is better prepared with one more day, but I did not see the team affected neither physics nor emotionally for Monday’s game. “
What was I looking for with the double change of rest
“First, the two full-backs suffered a lot in the first minutes, then Martín reaffirmed himself and cut Diaby’s innings. And Miranda was with yellow with a very skilled winger, so it was better to replace him with Alex. Joaquín did not play a bad game, but we wanted to give it more depth. “
