Real Betis winger Cedrick Mabwati cheekily hopes that Sevilla lose their Europa League tie against FC Porto on Thursday night, ahead of facing his own team on Sunday in La Liga.
Speaking at a press call ahead of the Sevillano Derby on Sunday, Real Betis winger Cedrick Mabwati believes that despite their defeat at Barcelona last weekend, his team are fired up and ready for a fourth derby encounter of the season, against city rivals Sevilla.
“We did pretty well in the match at the Camp Nou. Now we’ve got a game that’s special for everyone in this city. We’ll be trying to give our fans something to cheer about, in what’s a final for us. There’s always the chance of revenge in football.”
Rather than focus on whether he thinks he will make the starting eleven, Cedrick underlined that everyone in the squad is capable of playing and performing well.
“All of us are training well. Whoever the manager chooses, will be up to the task of helping the team. We’re all fine and we’ll be trying to make sure that everyone is available on Sunday.”
Cedrick also cheekily commented that he hopes FC Porto get past Sevilla in the Europa League tie on Thursday night, but doesn’t believe that whatever happens in that encounter, will have any bearing on their derby clash against his team at the weekend.
“Of course I’ll watch the game. If I had to choose, I’d prefer FC Porto to win. I don’t think that game will affect anything on Sunday though. They know that it’s a life or death game on Sunday, so I’m sure they’ll be going out there, the same way they have in all their games. We’ll be giving it everything too, trying to win the game.”
As for the atmosphere at the Benito Villamarín on Sunday, Cedrick believes it will be as passionate as always, hopeful that the stands will be packed and confident his team will have the full backing of their supporters.
“The Betis fans are loyal, they’re always backing the team through the good and the bad times. I’m sure they’ll be trying to get behind us, by filling the stadium. It’s great that we’ve had so many derbies lately. It’s great for the city and for football. Our fans are always with the team and I’m sure they’ll be backing us, right to the final whistle.”
Time and games are running out, if Betis are to maintain any hopes of surviving relegation to the Segunda, but Cedrick insists his team will keep fighting to do just that.
“For sure we can. If we didn’t, it wouldn’t be worth playing. We’ll be trying to fight until the end, with all the enthusiasm in the world.”
Clearly winning three points will go a long way towards that cause, whilst beating Sevilla in the derby would also provide great psychological encouragement for the team, agreed Cedrick.
“It will be very important for our morale, it would give us a great boost. We must stay focused and ensure we take these points at home.”
Speaking at a press call ahead of the Sevillano Derby on Sunday, Real Betis winger Cedrick Mabwati believes that despite their defeat at Barcelona last weekend, his team are fired up and ready for a fourth derby encounter of the season, against city rivals Sevilla.
“We did pretty well in the match at the Camp Nou. Now we’ve got a game that’s special for everyone in this city. We’ll be trying to give our fans something to cheer about, in what’s a final for us. There’s always the chance of revenge in football.”
Rather than focus on whether he thinks he will make the starting eleven, Cedrick underlined that everyone in the squad is capable of playing and performing well.
“All of us are training well. Whoever the manager chooses, will be up to the task of helping the team. We’re all fine and we’ll be trying to make sure that everyone is available on Sunday.”
Cedrick also cheekily commented that he hopes FC Porto get past Sevilla in the Europa League tie on Thursday night, but doesn’t believe that whatever happens in that encounter, will have any bearing on their derby clash against his team at the weekend.
“Of course I’ll watch the game. If I had to choose, I’d prefer FC Porto to win. I don’t think that game will affect anything on Sunday though. They know that it’s a life or death game on Sunday, so I’m sure they’ll be going out there, the same way they have in all their games. We’ll be giving it everything too, trying to win the game.”
As for the atmosphere at the Benito Villamarín on Sunday, Cedrick believes it will be as passionate as always, hopeful that the stands will be packed and confident his team will have the full backing of their supporters.
“The Betis fans are loyal, they’re always backing the team through the good and the bad times. I’m sure they’ll be trying to get behind us, by filling the stadium. It’s great that we’ve had so many derbies lately. It’s great for the city and for football. Our fans are always with the team and I’m sure they’ll be backing us, right to the final whistle.”
Time and games are running out, if Betis are to maintain any hopes of surviving relegation to the Segunda, but Cedrick insists his team will keep fighting to do just that.
“For sure we can. If we didn’t, it wouldn’t be worth playing. We’ll be trying to fight until the end, with all the enthusiasm in the world.”
Clearly winning three points will go a long way towards that cause, whilst beating Sevilla in the derby would also provide great psychological encouragement for the team, agreed Cedrick.
“It will be very important for our morale, it would give us a great boost. We must stay focused and ensure we take these points at home.”