After qualifying for the Conference League eighth, where Vitoria de Guimaraes lost to Gent in the second leg, Manuel Pellegrini’s team is set to visit a direct rival in a league where European spots are tightly contested. Pellegrini appeared in the press room to discuss the upcoming match against Getafe.
The Betis coach also gave a detailed review of the team’s current situation and revealed a message he sent to his friend Enzo Maresca, Chelsea coach, after the Conference League draw. “I sent him a message telling him that we saw each other in the final,” Pellegrini commented. When asked about the draw, he said, “I didn’t care who the rival was. I wish it wouldn’t have been Chelsea, more than anything for my friendship with Enzo Maresca; if we are in the final, better. Both teams were equally complicated, they finished first and second in the group stage. It won’t be easy.”
Injury Updates and Team News
Pellegrini valued the situation of several key players, jokingly saying, “I look like a doctor.” Abde and Bakambu are on the list, although Abde still has a strong blow that prevented him from training. Pablo Fornals is “looking pretty good” and is expected to be on the list next week, while Bellerín “is one step back” in his progress. William Carvalho is making progress on his return and Pellegrini celebrates that the Portuguese “does not feel pain.” He is confident and has started working with the squad, which could see him return during the break. Regarding Marc Roca and Lo Celso, “they are two different injuries.” Lo Celso’s muscular injury could see him return after the break, while Marc Roca’s bone pain in his foot will be easier to manage as it evolves.
Future of Vitor Roque and Conference League
When questioned about Vitor Roque’s future, Pellegrini said, “He is on the list. It is the kick of the squad and what will happen in the future I cannot say because I am not aware of any negotiation, only what comes out in the press. We will see how the theme is solved.” On the Conference League, he doesn’t think it’s about luck, but rather about performance. “To classify and if we do not have that high performance, many teams, not only us, can find a surprise.”
Upcoming Match Against Getafe
Pellegrini emphasized the importance of the upcoming match, saying, “There are 42 points left and you have to play each game as if it were a final. Not only Getafe is included above, there are six or seven teams in a quite close points difference. We have 14 games and we have to try, to the extent that we are capable, to demonstrate it within the field again in Europe.” The team remains motivated, with Pellegrini stating, “The objectives at the beginning of the season always have to be the most optimistic and the most ambitious. One thing we have tried to instill in this group has been that ambition and personal demand to demonstrate where we can get. We have never been away from European positions.”
