Manuel Pellegrini, the technician of Betis, had every reason to be pleased with his team’s performance against Real Sociedad. Playing with a numerical advantage for over 70 minutes, they secured a 3-0 win, climbed several positions in the standings, and recovered the goal difference against a direct rival for a European spot. Pellegrini shared his thoughts on the match in an interview with Dazn.
A Crucial Victory
He labeled the win as “very important,” highlighting its significance in the team’s campaign. “It was a pivotal game, one that could have left us in 14th place or 8th, just three points from sixth. We desperately needed a home win, which had eluded us for a while.” The victory was a testament to the team’s determination and skill, and Pellegrini was understandably delighted.
The change in the team’s dynamics was also a topic of discussion, particularly the substitution of Celso due to a contracture in his twin muscle. “We didn’t want to risk further injury, so we brought in Marc Roca, who did exceptionally well,” Pellegrini explained. The penalty missed by Celso was also mentioned, but Pellegrini downplayed its significance, pointing out that having a numerical advantage doesn’t always guarantee a win. “On Saturday, two teams were in a similar situation and couldn’t capitalize on it. However, we continued to work well, kept a clean sheet, scored three goals, and won in front of our home crowd.”
Standout Performances
Pellegrini was full of praise for his players, particularly Jesus, Antony, and Isco. “I’ve always said that while teamwork is essential, individual brilliance can decide games. Antony had a great game, scoring a difficult goal. Jesus had a complete performance, although he’s still finding his rhythm. He’s doing important things, and I’m very happy with him.” The team’s collective effort was evident, and Pellegrini was pleased with the contribution of each player.
In terms of injury updates, Pellegrini confirmed that Ángel Ortiz has a significant sprain and is likely to be out for a couple of weeks. Despite this setback, the team’s morale is high after the win, and they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches. As Pellegrini noted, “The team continued to work well, and we got the three points we needed. It’s a big boost for us, and we’ll look to carry this form forward.”
