Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón shrugged off the comments from the Sevilla camp, that they fully intend to make a comeback in Thursday’s Europa League game, pointing out that his team are in a strong position and they’ll be looking to win against this Thursday.
Betis manager Gabriel Calderón has utmost confidence his team can finish the job against Sevilla.
Throughout the week there have been suggestions from Sevilla players, that they were the better team in the first-leg defeat at the Sánchez-Pizjuán in last week’s defeat against Real Betis, but they just didn’t take their chances.
Opening the preview press conference ahead of the second-leg at the Benito Villamarín, when asked about the comments coming from Sevilla, Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón simply suggested that they’re just words, nothing more.
“None of that matters. Everyone has the right to say whatever they think. Sevilla have to think that they can turn the tie around, I would too if I were in the same situation. We’re aware of what we did and what we have left to do, so everything’s fine.”
With the 2-0 advantage, Calderón is feeling very confident his team can book their passage to the quarter-finals, especially with their “twelfth man” alongside them, the fans.
“We’re very happy with the score. Tomorrow we’ll be twelve. We’re very confident, but we’re also humble.”
Even with their lead, Calderón insisted that his team won’t settle for a draw or to simply hold back Sevilla, they’ll be looking to win the game itself too.
“What matters is that the team is competitive, just like every game. We can play better or worse, but we’re giving a good image of ourselves. The players have gained confidence and they have worked hard for that. It’s going to be a difficult game, because Sevilla are a great team. To our credit, we didn’t let them play their game in the first-leg. We want to do the same thing tomorrow.”
“We’ll go out there the same way we did in the first-leg. If you play for a draw, you lose. We’ll be going out to score goals and work hard to ensure they don’t. It’s a game that starts 0-0 as far as we’re concerned and we’re going out there to win it.”
Calderón wasn’t going to give much away when it came to his starting team though, but suggested that there won’t be many surprises in his eleven, though obviously his team has been hit with the injuries of Dídac and Caro.
“I have confidence in the team, in all the players. Because they all work very hard, whoever I choose, they’ll respond well. That gives me peace of mind.”
“We’ll have to replace Dídac and Caro, those are the only surprises. We’ll have to look at the progress of Leo Baptistao. We’ll wait until the last moment to see if he’ll play. There aren’t going to be any surprises in what we’ll do. Anything is possible, but you’ll have to wait until the game starts tomorrow.”
As for the game itself, Calderón is expecting another typical blood and thunder derby between the two sides.
“There are quality players, so I think there’ll be plenty of chances for both teams. I think it’s going to be a very intense game, just like the first-leg. Both of us will correct any mistakes made, to have the strength needed in our teams, but the intensity will remain the same.”
Given the bold intentions of the Sevilla players, Calderón was asked if there was any fear of their opponents.
“We don’t fear anyone, although we are respectful and humble. We know we’re playing against a great rival and we’ve made a lot of progress. We know our chances, our enthusiasm and the confidence we have to face this game. We’re convinced we’ll have to suffer, but also that we’re going to win.”
With seemingly one foot in the door of the quarter-finals, Calderón was asked how far he thinks his team can go in the Europa League.
“I don’t like to make such predictions. I want to win tomorrow and after that, I want us to win on Sunday. I’d like us to win every game. I prefer to say little and work a lot. We’ll take things one step at a time, that’s the method I’ve always used and will continue using.”
Asked the hypothetical question, if he would settle for winning the Europa League, even if it meant the team still suffers relegation from La Liga, Calderón reiterated that his intentions are for the team to win every game they play.
“I’m with Betis and we have to win tomorrow. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a friendly, a Europa League game or a La Liga game. The importance of the competition is all the same to me.”
Finally and asked about how the team has prepared for the European derby, Calderón noted that for such an important game, little motivation is needed and the inspiration is to do the best they can for the Betis fans.
“I don’t need to motivate them. We encourage them with training, care and hard work. They are responding, thanks to their ability and their sacrifice. To the fans of Betis, we don’t need to say anything, they’re the best fans in the world. We want to give back what we owe them. The team will give their lives out there on the pitch.”
Betis manager Gabriel Calderón has utmost confidence his team can finish the job against Sevilla.
Throughout the week there have been suggestions from Sevilla players, that they were the better team in the first-leg defeat at the Sánchez-Pizjuán in last week’s defeat against Real Betis, but they just didn’t take their chances.
Opening the preview press conference ahead of the second-leg at the Benito Villamarín, when asked about the comments coming from Sevilla, Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón simply suggested that they’re just words, nothing more.
“None of that matters. Everyone has the right to say whatever they think. Sevilla have to think that they can turn the tie around, I would too if I were in the same situation. We’re aware of what we did and what we have left to do, so everything’s fine.”
With the 2-0 advantage, Calderón is feeling very confident his team can book their passage to the quarter-finals, especially with their “twelfth man” alongside them, the fans.
“We’re very happy with the score. Tomorrow we’ll be twelve. We’re very confident, but we’re also humble.”
Even with their lead, Calderón insisted that his team won’t settle for a draw or to simply hold back Sevilla, they’ll be looking to win the game itself too.
“What matters is that the team is competitive, just like every game. We can play better or worse, but we’re giving a good image of ourselves. The players have gained confidence and they have worked hard for that. It’s going to be a difficult game, because Sevilla are a great team. To our credit, we didn’t let them play their game in the first-leg. We want to do the same thing tomorrow.”
“We’ll go out there the same way we did in the first-leg. If you play for a draw, you lose. We’ll be going out to score goals and work hard to ensure they don’t. It’s a game that starts 0-0 as far as we’re concerned and we’re going out there to win it.”
Calderón wasn’t going to give much away when it came to his starting team though, but suggested that there won’t be many surprises in his eleven, though obviously his team has been hit with the injuries of Dídac and Caro.
“I have confidence in the team, in all the players. Because they all work very hard, whoever I choose, they’ll respond well. That gives me peace of mind.”
“We’ll have to replace Dídac and Caro, those are the only surprises. We’ll have to look at the progress of Leo Baptistao. We’ll wait until the last moment to see if he’ll play. There aren’t going to be any surprises in what we’ll do. Anything is possible, but you’ll have to wait until the game starts tomorrow.”
As for the game itself, Calderón is expecting another typical blood and thunder derby between the two sides.
“There are quality players, so I think there’ll be plenty of chances for both teams. I think it’s going to be a very intense game, just like the first-leg. Both of us will correct any mistakes made, to have the strength needed in our teams, but the intensity will remain the same.”
Given the bold intentions of the Sevilla players, Calderón was asked if there was any fear of their opponents.
“We don’t fear anyone, although we are respectful and humble. We know we’re playing against a great rival and we’ve made a lot of progress. We know our chances, our enthusiasm and the confidence we have to face this game. We’re convinced we’ll have to suffer, but also that we’re going to win.”
With seemingly one foot in the door of the quarter-finals, Calderón was asked how far he thinks his team can go in the Europa League.
“I don’t like to make such predictions. I want to win tomorrow and after that, I want us to win on Sunday. I’d like us to win every game. I prefer to say little and work a lot. We’ll take things one step at a time, that’s the method I’ve always used and will continue using.”
Asked the hypothetical question, if he would settle for winning the Europa League, even if it meant the team still suffers relegation from La Liga, Calderón reiterated that his intentions are for the team to win every game they play.
“I’m with Betis and we have to win tomorrow. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a friendly, a Europa League game or a La Liga game. The importance of the competition is all the same to me.”
Finally and asked about how the team has prepared for the European derby, Calderón noted that for such an important game, little motivation is needed and the inspiration is to do the best they can for the Betis fans.
“I don’t need to motivate them. We encourage them with training, care and hard work. They are responding, thanks to their ability and their sacrifice. To the fans of Betis, we don’t need to say anything, they’re the best fans in the world. We want to give back what we owe them. The team will give their lives out there on the pitch.”