Manuel Pellegrini, the Chilean coach of Real Betis, has firmly stated that his team’s victory over Real Madrid was fully deserved, highlighting their efficiency in front of goal as the decisive factor. He also dismissed any notion that refereeing decisions influenced the outcome, directly countering claims made by Real Madrid’s coach, José Mourinho.
Betis Played to Win from the First Minute
Speaking after the match, as reported by Spanish newspaper AS, Pellegrini rejected Mourinho’s suggestion that Betis were content with a draw or that the referee played a crucial role. Instead, he emphasized his team’s attacking intent from the outset.
“The team went out to win from the first minute against a great opponent, and of course, that is difficult,” Pellegrini explained. “In the second half, we had more possession, and they had some chances from set pieces that Álvaro Vallés saved, but we scored the goal. Perhaps a draw would have been a fair result, but we took the chance that came our way, and they didn’t.”
Handling a Difficult Week
Pellegrini also addressed how he managed his squad following a challenging period, which included a defeat to Levante. He revealed his consistent approach to keeping the team mentally balanced.
“I conveyed the same message to the players that I have repeated for the last seven years,” he said. “Football gives you only 24 hours to enjoy victories and suffer defeats. We had to understand what happened against Levante, conduct a good self-criticism, and after 24 hours, be convinced of what we are doing.”
Confidence in the Team’s Response
The Betis coach expressed his faith in the squad’s ability to bounce back, citing their resilience as a key characteristic.
“I was confident that we would show a reaction because I have seen it for seven years,” Pellegrini noted. “We do not get carried away by victories, nor do we beat ourselves up over defeats. Ambition remains the same despite setbacks, and it is difficult for us to suffer two consecutive defeats.”
Substitutions and Tactical Adjustments
Pellegrini praised the impact of his substitutions, attributing their success to the players’ individual performances and sharp focus.
“Individual performance is what makes changes successful,” he explained. “Fatigue began to show due to the heat, and I thought refreshing the midfield was a good idea, but the players are the ones who make changes good or bad. Those who came on entered the match with very sharp concentration.”
Defensive Solidity and Set-Piece Threat
Addressing the defensive challenge posed by Real Madrid’s aerial prowess, Pellegrini pointed out that his team also capitalized on a set-piece situation.
“Real Madrid has players with great strength in aerial duels, but we also scored from a set piece,” he added.
No Controversy Over Refereeing
In his closing remarks, Pellegrini was unequivocal about the officiating, dismissing any claims of bias or decisive errors.
“I do not think there was any influence from the referee, nor do I believe there were any decisive decisions that affected the result,” he concluded. “We won because we took our chance, and they did not.”