by The Betis coach, the Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, assured this Saturday, on the eve of receiving Athletic Club in LaLiga, that the criticism received after being eliminated in the Conference League against Dinamo Zagreb “makes him happy”, arguing that ” “What was once an ambition is now an obligation.”
“Criticism is always welcome. and, in fact, they make me happy. What was once an ambition is now an obligation for the fans and the press. That makes me happy. Betis had never qualified for Europe three years in a row,” said the Chilean in his press appearance after the preparatory session that took place in the green and white sports city.
Pellegrini specified the team’s poor performance in continental competitions that “There have been different eliminations and this one has hurt a lot.”
Regarding the Bilbao team, he highlighted that “they are having a very good campaign, they play well and He is with footballers at a high level.”
“We have revenge here for the game there -Betis’ defeat in San Mamés- and now in the second round we have scored the same points as them. It will be an even match against a very good team,” declared Pellegrini, who added about Athletic that “the Williams have had a spectacular campaign, also Belenguer or Sancet, the centre-backs… The hand of the coach – Ernesto Valverde – is clearly seen in that, in how a team plays that does not change its characteristics, presses high and wants to play.
“I am very happy for him, he is a coach whom I have a lot of admiration for,” said the South American coach, who also referred to the remainder of the season, only with participation in LaLiga, and stressed that “There are 36 points left to play, a lot.”
“Neither by winning tomorrow we are already classified nor by losing we are already eliminated. You have to have confidence to achieve qualification for Europe, improving certain aspects and maintaining others. Football gives joy and sadness, but the present is what counts,” he stated.
Pellegrini, on the other hand, announced that the Congolese forward Cédric Bakambu, contracted in the winter market and who was injured this Thursday in the match played in the Croatian capital, has an ailment “in the soleus and he will be out for at least a month.”
“The issue of injuries is complicated, we would have to analyze why they occur and the many that other teams have. It is impossible to think that the losses have no impact, but the group has always known how to avoid those injuries in these years. “There is no need to take refuge in that.”he pointed out.
