Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón insists that his team are determined and hungry for the victories they need, whilst keen to escape their perilous position at the foot of La Liga.
Ahead of hosting Espanyol on Sunday, Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón underlined that each of the remaining games his team will face in La Liga, will be like a final and this weekend’s encounter will be no different.
“It’s another ninety minutes. We still have seventeen more finals to go and we all know the importance of the game on Sunday.”
One of the players brought in to help Betis reach for salvation, Leo Baptistao, has been struggling with fitness issues. That remains a concern, but Calderón hinted that even though he’s not fully fit, he still may feature against Espanyol.
“Leo has had problems since I arrived. This week he hasn’t trained with the group and we’ll have to see tomorrow. He isn’t 100%.”
As for the defeat at Celta Vigo last weekend, despite the four goals conceded, Calderón tried to take at least some of the positives from the performance, whilst clear that his players have prepared well ahead of this weekend’s game.
“The truth is that we were all sad about losing the game, because of individual mistakes. I’m still happy about our first twenty minutes and the second forty-five. That second half especially, when the team stood up and showed their faces. The players have worked well this week.”
The amount of goals that Betis have conceded is clearly a worry, but the Argentine coach believes that once his team finds equilibrium in their play, such problems will be resolved.
“A team that concedes so many goals in two games, has to look for balance. We have to find the right formula to be solid defensively and keep generating chances in attack. That’s the balance we have to find.”
As for new arrival Alfred N’Diaye, the Real Betis manager highlighted that he could be a key figure in his plans, as the shape of the team defensively changes, as Calderón seeks to deploy three central defenders at the back, with more offensive minded wing-backs on the flanks.
“He plays as a central midfielder and in France, he has played as a defender. Before he came, we asked him if he has any problems playing at the back and he told me he doesn’t. If we play with three central defenders, his role would be the libero. Those are the positions he will play as; central defence and defensive central midfielder. We’re working on a system with three centre-backs, which has to be a solid block.”
One thing that does remain strong, despite the difficult situation in La Liga, according to Calderón, is the desire and commitment of the players to escape the relegation zone.
“The players are working hard and they look full of enthusiasm. Obviously they’re not happy about the situation we’re in, but they are working with enthusiasm, they’re keen and their hunger for wins is incredible.”
Ahead of hosting Espanyol on Sunday, Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderón underlined that each of the remaining games his team will face in La Liga, will be like a final and this weekend’s encounter will be no different.
“It’s another ninety minutes. We still have seventeen more finals to go and we all know the importance of the game on Sunday.”
One of the players brought in to help Betis reach for salvation, Leo Baptistao, has been struggling with fitness issues. That remains a concern, but Calderón hinted that even though he’s not fully fit, he still may feature against Espanyol.
“Leo has had problems since I arrived. This week he hasn’t trained with the group and we’ll have to see tomorrow. He isn’t 100%.”
As for the defeat at Celta Vigo last weekend, despite the four goals conceded, Calderón tried to take at least some of the positives from the performance, whilst clear that his players have prepared well ahead of this weekend’s game.
“The truth is that we were all sad about losing the game, because of individual mistakes. I’m still happy about our first twenty minutes and the second forty-five. That second half especially, when the team stood up and showed their faces. The players have worked well this week.”
The amount of goals that Betis have conceded is clearly a worry, but the Argentine coach believes that once his team finds equilibrium in their play, such problems will be resolved.
“A team that concedes so many goals in two games, has to look for balance. We have to find the right formula to be solid defensively and keep generating chances in attack. That’s the balance we have to find.”
As for new arrival Alfred N’Diaye, the Real Betis manager highlighted that he could be a key figure in his plans, as the shape of the team defensively changes, as Calderón seeks to deploy three central defenders at the back, with more offensive minded wing-backs on the flanks.
“He plays as a central midfielder and in France, he has played as a defender. Before he came, we asked him if he has any problems playing at the back and he told me he doesn’t. If we play with three central defenders, his role would be the libero. Those are the positions he will play as; central defence and defensive central midfielder. We’re working on a system with three centre-backs, which has to be a solid block.”
One thing that does remain strong, despite the difficult situation in La Liga, according to Calderón, is the desire and commitment of the players to escape the relegation zone.
“The players are working hard and they look full of enthusiasm. Obviously they’re not happy about the situation we’re in, but they are working with enthusiasm, they’re keen and their hunger for wins is incredible.”