Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón understands the frustrations of the fans, following their recent protests at the continued poor results in La Liga, but issued a rallying cry for them to remain true their ‘manque pierda’ values and back the team in the Europa League match against Rubin Kazan on Thursday night.
Ahead of Thursday’s first-leg Europa League clash with Rubin Kazan at the Benito Villamarín, Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón gave his analysis of the opponents they’ll face, pointing out that he and his coaching staff have done their homework, given they’ve been able to observe the Russian side during their pre-season visit to Spain.
“We know that they changed six important players over the winter. We’ve been watching them play in their friendly games in Marbella. We’ve studied them very well. They’re going to be a tough opponent and at this stage of the competition, every team is well prepared.”
Fans protesting and threatening to boycott the game has made the headlines in the local and national press, but Calderón called for the fans to remain true to their values and keep backing the team, whatever the outcome.
“Each person has the right to do whatever they want. 31 years ago when I first came here, although I wasn’t fortunate enough to be born a Betico, they showed me that being a Betico was a feeling of loyalty, that they react in defeat and at bad times, as is said in the slogan: “Viva el Betis manque pierda” (Long live Betis, even if they lose)
Disgruntled fans have also hurled abuse at players in training sessions, following the defeat at Granada last weekend. The Betis manager understands the frustrations, but suggested that there’s a limit to how much they can put up with such behaviour, when it’s at the grace of himself and the club, that fans are allowed to attend first-team training.
“I’m the one who is responsible for opening the doors to training sessions and know what could happen. They want to show their faces to the players. What I do feel though, is that everything has a limit. The insults aren’t justified. There were several people who were dedicating themselves to being insulting and wanted to make the training session shitty. Showing discontent is only natural, but there’s a time and a place and I don’t think the insults were spontaneous.”
Following that, Calderón added that because of the effort that it took the team last season to qualify for the Europa League, everyone should be at their best, the team and the fans, to make the most of the opportunity to remain in the competition.
“The fans have every right to ask the team to be up to the required standard and get results. I’m thankful to them. I’m not going to generalise for the sake of several who went beyond the limits. Being in the Europa League was thanks to the great effort of many. I’ve heard it said that this game comes at a bad time, but for me, it’s a very important opportunity to demonstrate what it means to be Betis. It’s a game for everyone, another final. We have to be up to the standard. We’re working hard to give the fans the joy they deserve, a reason to smile once more.”
As for the performances of the team since his arrival, Calderón believes the players are working hard and keen to secure good results, but when things don’t work out, he accepts full responsibility himself.
“When we don’t win, everything that’s said is reasonable. As the one responsible for this team in these last four games, I’ve seen the players work hard, be involved and wanting to change our situation. Then in the games, certain circumstances and individual mistakes have lead to us losing the matches. I’m convinced that this team can produce a better level than we have been seeing. After being here a month, the responsibility is entirely mine.”
Focusing on the game itself, Calderón highlighted that there will be rotations in the starting eleven.
“We’ll be making various changes. The best opportunity for a manager to look at his players, is when they’re competing. We have players coming back from injury and who haven’t competed much recently. These players are coming into the side, keen to win themselves a regular place in the team. So there will be changes, but keeping in mind that we want to win the game.”
Finally and conscious of an additional problem to face in the second-leg of the tie, Calderón was asked for his thoughts about the artificial pitch that Rubin Kazan have at their stadium.
“Such things are relative. Ahead of a game, much can be said. They’ve spent all their time here in Spain during their pre-season, but they’re more used to playing on an artificial surface. Of course, it will be easier for them. We’ll have to train on an artificial pitch ahead of that game, so that our players are a little more used to it.”
Ahead of Thursday’s first-leg Europa League clash with Rubin Kazan at the Benito Villamarín, Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón gave his analysis of the opponents they’ll face, pointing out that he and his coaching staff have done their homework, given they’ve been able to observe the Russian side during their pre-season visit to Spain.
“We know that they changed six important players over the winter. We’ve been watching them play in their friendly games in Marbella. We’ve studied them very well. They’re going to be a tough opponent and at this stage of the competition, every team is well prepared.”
Fans protesting and threatening to boycott the game has made the headlines in the local and national press, but Calderón called for the fans to remain true to their values and keep backing the team, whatever the outcome.
“Each person has the right to do whatever they want. 31 years ago when I first came here, although I wasn’t fortunate enough to be born a Betico, they showed me that being a Betico was a feeling of loyalty, that they react in defeat and at bad times, as is said in the slogan: “Viva el Betis manque pierda” (Long live Betis, even if they lose)
Disgruntled fans have also hurled abuse at players in training sessions, following the defeat at Granada last weekend. The Betis manager understands the frustrations, but suggested that there’s a limit to how much they can put up with such behaviour, when it’s at the grace of himself and the club, that fans are allowed to attend first-team training.
“I’m the one who is responsible for opening the doors to training sessions and know what could happen. They want to show their faces to the players. What I do feel though, is that everything has a limit. The insults aren’t justified. There were several people who were dedicating themselves to being insulting and wanted to make the training session shitty. Showing discontent is only natural, but there’s a time and a place and I don’t think the insults were spontaneous.”
Following that, Calderón added that because of the effort that it took the team last season to qualify for the Europa League, everyone should be at their best, the team and the fans, to make the most of the opportunity to remain in the competition.
“The fans have every right to ask the team to be up to the required standard and get results. I’m thankful to them. I’m not going to generalise for the sake of several who went beyond the limits. Being in the Europa League was thanks to the great effort of many. I’ve heard it said that this game comes at a bad time, but for me, it’s a very important opportunity to demonstrate what it means to be Betis. It’s a game for everyone, another final. We have to be up to the standard. We’re working hard to give the fans the joy they deserve, a reason to smile once more.”
As for the performances of the team since his arrival, Calderón believes the players are working hard and keen to secure good results, but when things don’t work out, he accepts full responsibility himself.
“When we don’t win, everything that’s said is reasonable. As the one responsible for this team in these last four games, I’ve seen the players work hard, be involved and wanting to change our situation. Then in the games, certain circumstances and individual mistakes have lead to us losing the matches. I’m convinced that this team can produce a better level than we have been seeing. After being here a month, the responsibility is entirely mine.”
Focusing on the game itself, Calderón highlighted that there will be rotations in the starting eleven.
“We’ll be making various changes. The best opportunity for a manager to look at his players, is when they’re competing. We have players coming back from injury and who haven’t competed much recently. These players are coming into the side, keen to win themselves a regular place in the team. So there will be changes, but keeping in mind that we want to win the game.”
Finally and conscious of an additional problem to face in the second-leg of the tie, Calderón was asked for his thoughts about the artificial pitch that Rubin Kazan have at their stadium.
“Such things are relative. Ahead of a game, much can be said. They’ve spent all their time here in Spain during their pre-season, but they’re more used to playing on an artificial surface. Of course, it will be easier for them. We’ll have to train on an artificial pitch ahead of that game, so that our players are a little more used to it.”