Real Betis manager Gabrial Calderón found it hard to explain how his team managed to lose against Málaga, having looked the stronger side for much of the game.
Following the 1-2 defeat against Málaga on Monday night, Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón was practically at a loss for words as to how his team had not taken points, but suggested that it was simply the case that they hadn’t made the best of their chances, whereas their opponents had.
“Analysing the game, it’s incredible to think we’ve lost, it’s hard to explain. It was like a horror movie. You have to take your chances though. They’ve had three and scored two of them, but that’s football and there’s not much else I can say. We deserved to extend our lead, but if you don’t score, you leave yourself open to what has happened.”
To rub salt into the wounds, as well as the two Málaga goals in the last ten minutes that won them the game, talismanic Real Betis striker Rubén Castro missed a penalty in stoppage time, that could have earned his team at least a point. Calderón lamented that his effort from the spot hadn’t gone in, but pointed at the intense pressure of the moment.
“Aside from the chances we’ve had and we haven’t scored from, this happened with the penalty. When there’s so much pressure though, sometimes you can miss. The player who took it missed and there’s not much else to say about it.”
As for the impact of the defeat itself, Calderón admitted that his team have been on a tightrope at the bottom of La Liga for some time, but whilst they still have even the slimmest of mathematical possibilities of surviving the drop, they will keep battling on.
“It’s a very tough defeat. We’ve been walking on the ledge now for a while. Time is against us more an more. It’s remarkable we’ve lost this match after having had so many chances, but we’ll keep fighting against all adversities and try to remain a team worthy of this club and the fans.”
Calderón also praised the supporters at the Benito Villamarín, the efforts of his players and their desire to keep battling, but suggested that it feels like fate is dead set against his team.
“I have to congratulate the fans and also the players for the work they’ve done. The team keeps believing, little by little and despite the adversities. They’re up to the standard and have been playing good games. All we’ve lacked was precision and from there, it seems like everything is working against us and nothing is turning out in our favour.”
Real Betis must head to Barcelona next and then face a home derby against Sevilla. Two games that could seal their fate, though Calderón insisted that irrespective of the opponents, his team must face the games with the enthusiasm of winning and keeping their hopes alive.
“We can’t make calculations, nor look at the opponents we’re facing. We must just try to win and take things one game at a time. We’ll recover and prepare, then we have to win every game, regardless of the opponent. There’s no other way in our situation.”
Following the 1-2 defeat against Málaga on Monday night, Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón was practically at a loss for words as to how his team had not taken points, but suggested that it was simply the case that they hadn’t made the best of their chances, whereas their opponents had.
“Analysing the game, it’s incredible to think we’ve lost, it’s hard to explain. It was like a horror movie. You have to take your chances though. They’ve had three and scored two of them, but that’s football and there’s not much else I can say. We deserved to extend our lead, but if you don’t score, you leave yourself open to what has happened.”
To rub salt into the wounds, as well as the two Málaga goals in the last ten minutes that won them the game, talismanic Real Betis striker Rubén Castro missed a penalty in stoppage time, that could have earned his team at least a point. Calderón lamented that his effort from the spot hadn’t gone in, but pointed at the intense pressure of the moment.
“Aside from the chances we’ve had and we haven’t scored from, this happened with the penalty. When there’s so much pressure though, sometimes you can miss. The player who took it missed and there’s not much else to say about it.”
As for the impact of the defeat itself, Calderón admitted that his team have been on a tightrope at the bottom of La Liga for some time, but whilst they still have even the slimmest of mathematical possibilities of surviving the drop, they will keep battling on.
“It’s a very tough defeat. We’ve been walking on the ledge now for a while. Time is against us more an more. It’s remarkable we’ve lost this match after having had so many chances, but we’ll keep fighting against all adversities and try to remain a team worthy of this club and the fans.”
Calderón also praised the supporters at the Benito Villamarín, the efforts of his players and their desire to keep battling, but suggested that it feels like fate is dead set against his team.
“I have to congratulate the fans and also the players for the work they’ve done. The team keeps believing, little by little and despite the adversities. They’re up to the standard and have been playing good games. All we’ve lacked was precision and from there, it seems like everything is working against us and nothing is turning out in our favour.”
Real Betis must head to Barcelona next and then face a home derby against Sevilla. Two games that could seal their fate, though Calderón insisted that irrespective of the opponents, his team must face the games with the enthusiasm of winning and keeping their hopes alive.
“We can’t make calculations, nor look at the opponents we’re facing. We must just try to win and take things one game at a time. We’ll recover and prepare, then we have to win every game, regardless of the opponent. There’s no other way in our situation.”