Real Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adán gave an insightful interview, ahead of Thursday’s Europa League second-leg match against city rivals Sevilla, speaking of his time at Real Madrid, his move to Betis and confidence that all the pressure is on their opponents, whilst confident his team will go through to the quarter-finals.
Antonio Adán offered a frank and open interview with Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, on the eve of the Europa League game against Sevilla on Thursday. The first question posed, was to ask him why he’d opted for a move to Real Betis, given how they have been struggling in La Liga.
“I was looking for a place where I would feel comfortably personally, a big club and this is it, because they have a spectacular following, with 40,000 fans at every game, despite their situation, in such a beautiful city like Seville. Also and in a sporting sense, I have everyone’s confidence, that of the manager and the fans. For me, that’s what mattered the most and not what level Betis were at. I had other offers, but I didn’t have to think twice about coming here.
Given the strong performances he’s produced at Betis since his arrival, Adán was asked if his form has surprised him.
“Not at all. I knew at the time that I’d found a place where I would be happy and feel confident of playing well. After sixteen years at Real Madrid, this is what I needed. At all levels there, I was a starter and was in the national teams at junior level. My only problem was that ahead of me, I had the best goalkeeper in the world, Iker Casillas. It was hugely gratifying to have been at the best club in the world, as a backup to the best goalkeeper in the world, but I needed to move on, play and improve.”
Adán has found himself in many difficult situations. Propelled to the first team at Real Madrid, as Mourinho sat Iker Casillas on the bench, then discarded when Diego López arrived. His move to Cagliari in Italy didn’t work out at all, then there were doubts about his ability when he agreed the move to Real Betis, who were also struggling to get the best out of Sara and Andersen.
“That was only to be expected. It also weighed on me during my final stages at Real Madrid, when what happened, happened. All of a sudden, Iker became the substitute and all the media focus turned on a lad who had played just eight games in the Primera. It was difficult. In the end, the press had their opinions marked and they created doubts around me. I never had any doubts though. I knew Betis would be a perfect club to show my level. I needed to feel the affection and respect I have from the fans here.”
Given all the media furore when Adán replaced Casillas in the Real Madrid team, he was asked if the pressure that Mourinho had placed on him, would make him so willing to work with the Portuguese coach again, if the opportunity arose in the future.
“I don’t have any problems with José Mourinho. I still think of him as one of the best managers in the world. If such an offer came, then I’d have to study it carefully, just like any other and if it was good, then I’d accept. It choice wouldn’t be influenced based on Mourinho being manager.”
Ahead of the massive game in the second-leg of the Europa League, much of the build up has been focused on Sevilla assuring that they will turn the tie around. Adán sees things somewhat differently, suggesting that Real Betis have everything in their own hands.
“That’s how the media is selling it and that’s in the best interests of Sevilla, but I’ll point out a few things… Who has the score in their favour and which team is playing at home? Pressure? Truthfully… which team is going to feel the most pressure in a stadium full of 50,000 Beticos? It will be them. Which team has to turn the score around? They do.”
Finally and as for how Betis will face the game, Adán pointed out that his team are sure of themselves and their chances of making it to the quarter-finals.
“Everything is clear to us. We’ll have to defend very well and look for our chances in attack. If we do our jobs, we’ll go through for sure.”
Antonio Adán offered a frank and open interview with Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, on the eve of the Europa League game against Sevilla on Thursday. The first question posed, was to ask him why he’d opted for a move to Real Betis, given how they have been struggling in La Liga.
“I was looking for a place where I would feel comfortably personally, a big club and this is it, because they have a spectacular following, with 40,000 fans at every game, despite their situation, in such a beautiful city like Seville. Also and in a sporting sense, I have everyone’s confidence, that of the manager and the fans. For me, that’s what mattered the most and not what level Betis were at. I had other offers, but I didn’t have to think twice about coming here.
Given the strong performances he’s produced at Betis since his arrival, Adán was asked if his form has surprised him.
“Not at all. I knew at the time that I’d found a place where I would be happy and feel confident of playing well. After sixteen years at Real Madrid, this is what I needed. At all levels there, I was a starter and was in the national teams at junior level. My only problem was that ahead of me, I had the best goalkeeper in the world, Iker Casillas. It was hugely gratifying to have been at the best club in the world, as a backup to the best goalkeeper in the world, but I needed to move on, play and improve.”
Adán has found himself in many difficult situations. Propelled to the first team at Real Madrid, as Mourinho sat Iker Casillas on the bench, then discarded when Diego López arrived. His move to Cagliari in Italy didn’t work out at all, then there were doubts about his ability when he agreed the move to Real Betis, who were also struggling to get the best out of Sara and Andersen.
“That was only to be expected. It also weighed on me during my final stages at Real Madrid, when what happened, happened. All of a sudden, Iker became the substitute and all the media focus turned on a lad who had played just eight games in the Primera. It was difficult. In the end, the press had their opinions marked and they created doubts around me. I never had any doubts though. I knew Betis would be a perfect club to show my level. I needed to feel the affection and respect I have from the fans here.”
Given all the media furore when Adán replaced Casillas in the Real Madrid team, he was asked if the pressure that Mourinho had placed on him, would make him so willing to work with the Portuguese coach again, if the opportunity arose in the future.
“I don’t have any problems with José Mourinho. I still think of him as one of the best managers in the world. If such an offer came, then I’d have to study it carefully, just like any other and if it was good, then I’d accept. It choice wouldn’t be influenced based on Mourinho being manager.”
Ahead of the massive game in the second-leg of the Europa League, much of the build up has been focused on Sevilla assuring that they will turn the tie around. Adán sees things somewhat differently, suggesting that Real Betis have everything in their own hands.
“That’s how the media is selling it and that’s in the best interests of Sevilla, but I’ll point out a few things… Who has the score in their favour and which team is playing at home? Pressure? Truthfully… which team is going to feel the most pressure in a stadium full of 50,000 Beticos? It will be them. Which team has to turn the score around? They do.”
Finally and as for how Betis will face the game, Adán pointed out that his team are sure of themselves and their chances of making it to the quarter-finals.
“Everything is clear to us. We’ll have to defend very well and look for our chances in attack. If we do our jobs, we’ll go through for sure.”