Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón insists that he will retain belief that his team can avoid relegation, until such a time as the points in the league table say otherwise, as they head to Rayo Vallecano looking to keep their slim hopes of survival in the Primera alive.
Complicated though the situation is for Real Betis, manager Gabriel Calderón is maintaining a positive frame of mind, believes his players are too and that they’ll head to Vallecas on Sunday with the sole intention of earning three points.
“We have the same enthusiasm as always. The team competes in every game, with the difficulties we have, confident in ourselves and feeling strong. That’s how we’ll keep competing, going out there as we do in every game, looking for the three points.”
Another defeat for Betis could effectively seal their fate and their relegation to the Segunda. Calderón believes it’s now a waste of time trying to tot up the numbers, preferring to just focus on the game ahead of his team.
“In the situation we’re in, we must think of tomorrow’s game as if it’s our last and that we have to win. We can’t look beyond that. You can make all the calculations you want to, but if you don’t win your next game, they’re worthless. All we know is that we have to go there to win tomorrow.”
As for how the team will compete, once relegation is confirmed, Calderón insists it’s everyone’s duty to compete and to win, even in what would then be meaningless games.
“It’s our obligation to do so. We represent a great club and we have to give everything we’ve got in every game. We have to demonstrate that we’re capable of beating anyone.”
The faithful fans still encouraged the team in training this week, regardless of the difficult situation. Calderón had the highest of praise for them.
“I said the first day I came here, that these fans are different than anywhere else. What I’ve experienced in our stadium is the greatest thing I’ve experienced in my entire footballing career.”
Asked about how influential poor refereeing decisions against his team have been, when it comes to their battle against relegation, Calderón pointed out that they certainly haven’t helped matters, but also acknowledged that the manager and players must also bear the burden of responsibility.
“When I came here three months ago, the team was bottom of La Liga. The main person responsible for where the team is in the league, is always the manager. In recent months I don’t have any doubts that referees have prejudiced us sufficiently for us not to remain alive, or closer to saving ourselves. Despite all that though, the team has kept competing. The team believes in themselves and in their manager. Any other team that have suffered all these injustices, would have given up by now. That’s something that’s never happened since I came here. That’s what gives me confidence and what makes us competitive.”
It could also be argued that injury problems throughout the season have also played their part, but Calderón believes that they’re something that have to be coped with, along with any other problems that occur.
“We’re used to living with difficulties. I look at the players working hard every week, never giving up and believing. Fortunately, the team has always competed at a great level, whoever plays, but now we have to compete and win. Hopefully there won’t be any further adversities we can’t handle.”
Asked if planning should now begin ahead of next season, the Argentine coach pointed out that this season and their mathematical chances of survival, still aren’t over yet.
“We just have to think about the next game. We must win each game, that’s where we’re at right now. We’re still mathematically alive, so as such, we’ll fight for every game. We have a huge responsibility to live up to the standards of this club.”
Youth product and winger Álvaro Vadillo spoke fondly of Pepe Mel this week, suggesting that it had been a huge mistake by the club to sack him, even believing that the team wouldn’t be in the position they’re in now, had the former manager been given more time. Calderón respects the words of his player, but noted that the past is the past and focus should be on the future, with himself at the helm.
“All Beticos are hugely thankful to Pepe Mel for the three extraordinary years he had here. If it helps us to win tomorrow, he can say whatever he likes, but it doesn’t really help to speak of the past. It’s behind us now. Today, I’m the manager and I have to think about what’s ahead of us. I respect what each individual says, but it’s not going to help us win the game tomorrow, so I wasn’t really interested. I don’t mind, everyone has the right to say what they think. With all the difficulties we’ve had here, the team believes in their manager. If the team stands up to their task, it’s because they have confidence in me.”
Complicated though the situation is for Real Betis, manager Gabriel Calderón is maintaining a positive frame of mind, believes his players are too and that they’ll head to Vallecas on Sunday with the sole intention of earning three points.
“We have the same enthusiasm as always. The team competes in every game, with the difficulties we have, confident in ourselves and feeling strong. That’s how we’ll keep competing, going out there as we do in every game, looking for the three points.”
Another defeat for Betis could effectively seal their fate and their relegation to the Segunda. Calderón believes it’s now a waste of time trying to tot up the numbers, preferring to just focus on the game ahead of his team.
“In the situation we’re in, we must think of tomorrow’s game as if it’s our last and that we have to win. We can’t look beyond that. You can make all the calculations you want to, but if you don’t win your next game, they’re worthless. All we know is that we have to go there to win tomorrow.”
As for how the team will compete, once relegation is confirmed, Calderón insists it’s everyone’s duty to compete and to win, even in what would then be meaningless games.
“It’s our obligation to do so. We represent a great club and we have to give everything we’ve got in every game. We have to demonstrate that we’re capable of beating anyone.”
The faithful fans still encouraged the team in training this week, regardless of the difficult situation. Calderón had the highest of praise for them.
“I said the first day I came here, that these fans are different than anywhere else. What I’ve experienced in our stadium is the greatest thing I’ve experienced in my entire footballing career.”
Asked about how influential poor refereeing decisions against his team have been, when it comes to their battle against relegation, Calderón pointed out that they certainly haven’t helped matters, but also acknowledged that the manager and players must also bear the burden of responsibility.
“When I came here three months ago, the team was bottom of La Liga. The main person responsible for where the team is in the league, is always the manager. In recent months I don’t have any doubts that referees have prejudiced us sufficiently for us not to remain alive, or closer to saving ourselves. Despite all that though, the team has kept competing. The team believes in themselves and in their manager. Any other team that have suffered all these injustices, would have given up by now. That’s something that’s never happened since I came here. That’s what gives me confidence and what makes us competitive.”
It could also be argued that injury problems throughout the season have also played their part, but Calderón believes that they’re something that have to be coped with, along with any other problems that occur.
“We’re used to living with difficulties. I look at the players working hard every week, never giving up and believing. Fortunately, the team has always competed at a great level, whoever plays, but now we have to compete and win. Hopefully there won’t be any further adversities we can’t handle.”
Asked if planning should now begin ahead of next season, the Argentine coach pointed out that this season and their mathematical chances of survival, still aren’t over yet.
“We just have to think about the next game. We must win each game, that’s where we’re at right now. We’re still mathematically alive, so as such, we’ll fight for every game. We have a huge responsibility to live up to the standards of this club.”
Youth product and winger Álvaro Vadillo spoke fondly of Pepe Mel this week, suggesting that it had been a huge mistake by the club to sack him, even believing that the team wouldn’t be in the position they’re in now, had the former manager been given more time. Calderón respects the words of his player, but noted that the past is the past and focus should be on the future, with himself at the helm.
“All Beticos are hugely thankful to Pepe Mel for the three extraordinary years he had here. If it helps us to win tomorrow, he can say whatever he likes, but it doesn’t really help to speak of the past. It’s behind us now. Today, I’m the manager and I have to think about what’s ahead of us. I respect what each individual says, but it’s not going to help us win the game tomorrow, so I wasn’t really interested. I don’t mind, everyone has the right to say what they think. With all the difficulties we’ve had here, the team believes in their manager. If the team stands up to their task, it’s because they have confidence in me.”