Real Betis manager, Gabriel Calderon insists that his side needs to get over Thursday’s elimination from the Europa League at the hands of cross-town Sevilla and focus their attentions on Sunday evening’s opponent.
In his pre-match press conference, Calderon hopes that the team will get over the loss, but feels Atletico Madrid are superior in both quality and fitness.
“I think the team is 100% psyched to win tomorrow and pick themselves up. We are sad because we were all hoping to progress. When they put their lives on the line trying, we must move on even though there is sadness in our hearts, in order to fight for our next goals. [Losing in the Europa League] never worried me, nor does it now. After 0-2 looked like it was done and dusted but it wasn’t to be in the penalties. If I had been looking out for, I would not have come. I will continue to the end to help a loved one who is in Intensive Care.”
“I’m not going to say anything that you do not know already. Of course they are a contender. They are proving to be a serious candidates for everything. No one has given them anything for free. They are not failing, we know what awaits us tomorrow.
“We know the situation we are in and we have the utmost respect for all opponents. We want to win the game based on humility and respect. We know our opponents qualities, but we will give our lives to come out ahead in the match.
“Atletico is a reflection of their coach. Cholo wants his offspring to win. I want to rescue the best from Thursday’s match and be ready for the match in the best condition possible. I speak the truth about their work. I also think that so far I’m doing a good job at Betis. What I said was not about friendship, everyone says that the other party deserves what they have. He has a great personality and is a hard worker.”
Calderon then announced that Leo Baptistao will not play against his parent club Atletico Madrid, as Betis don’t wish to pay his clause but is confident they can overcome.
“He will not play. I was asked if it was time to make use of the clause and I automatically said no. It’s a lot of money which is the result of important and continued effort. I have to give players a rest and Baptistao is going to be one of them. It is not necessary because physically he is not ready to compete tomorrow. He knew we were not going to do anything.
“I have not thought of how we will be received The supporters were with the team right until the end. The supporters we have are very patient and what they want is what they saw the other day. Players are looked for support from each other and wept on the field. That’s what the fans want, the players to give it their all. They are sad just like we are but they will still have our back. For them to do so we must give reasons.
“I congratulate and thank them for the commitment they have had since I got here. The level they are giving is not by chance. Players have a vested interest in pulling this off. They are very committed. Everyone wants to play, but physically they can’t always be at their best after so many games. They have to rest because they have accumulated a lot of match minutes. I have to try to put the best possible team physically tomorrow in the knowledge of the demands Atletico Madrid are going to place on us.”
In his pre-match press conference, Calderon hopes that the team will get over the loss, but feels Atletico Madrid are superior in both quality and fitness.
“I think the team is 100% psyched to win tomorrow and pick themselves up. We are sad because we were all hoping to progress. When they put their lives on the line trying, we must move on even though there is sadness in our hearts, in order to fight for our next goals. [Losing in the Europa League] never worried me, nor does it now. After 0-2 looked like it was done and dusted but it wasn’t to be in the penalties. If I had been looking out for, I would not have come. I will continue to the end to help a loved one who is in Intensive Care.”
“I’m not going to say anything that you do not know already. Of course they are a contender. They are proving to be a serious candidates for everything. No one has given them anything for free. They are not failing, we know what awaits us tomorrow.
“We know the situation we are in and we have the utmost respect for all opponents. We want to win the game based on humility and respect. We know our opponents qualities, but we will give our lives to come out ahead in the match.
“Atletico is a reflection of their coach. Cholo wants his offspring to win. I want to rescue the best from Thursday’s match and be ready for the match in the best condition possible. I speak the truth about their work. I also think that so far I’m doing a good job at Betis. What I said was not about friendship, everyone says that the other party deserves what they have. He has a great personality and is a hard worker.”
Calderon then announced that Leo Baptistao will not play against his parent club Atletico Madrid, as Betis don’t wish to pay his clause but is confident they can overcome.
“He will not play. I was asked if it was time to make use of the clause and I automatically said no. It’s a lot of money which is the result of important and continued effort. I have to give players a rest and Baptistao is going to be one of them. It is not necessary because physically he is not ready to compete tomorrow. He knew we were not going to do anything.
“I have not thought of how we will be received The supporters were with the team right until the end. The supporters we have are very patient and what they want is what they saw the other day. Players are looked for support from each other and wept on the field. That’s what the fans want, the players to give it their all. They are sad just like we are but they will still have our back. For them to do so we must give reasons.
“I congratulate and thank them for the commitment they have had since I got here. The level they are giving is not by chance. Players have a vested interest in pulling this off. They are very committed. Everyone wants to play, but physically they can’t always be at their best after so many games. They have to rest because they have accumulated a lot of match minutes. I have to try to put the best possible team physically tomorrow in the knowledge of the demands Atletico Madrid are going to place on us.”