Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has rejected the idea that his side are heavy underdogs in the conference competition with Chelsea on Wednesday evening. The Chilean coach, in his very first major European final, also agreed with his counterpart Enzo Maresca that the blues were at a disadvantage.
Prior to the game, Maresca had complained about the fact that Betis would work with two days of rest after they had played their last La Liga match at home against Valencia on Friday. In the meantime, Chelsea went away to Nottingham Forest to win, and in the process the Champions League qualification secured on Sunday. Pellegrini agreed that it gave his side a lead.
“I read what Enzo said and I totally agree with him. In football you can't give your opponent any benefit. They had a tough game to get to the Champions League on Sunday and they did that; I am very happy for him, but it's not an excuse because they are used to playing every three days. I am convinced that they are a very usual usual, at their usual, at their usual.”
Maresca and Pellegrini previously collaborated with West Ham United and the Betis manager confirmed that the relationships between the two remained good.
“I sent him a very short text message when we started the competition phase with the announcement that we would see each other in the final, and when we both arrived, I called him to tell him that I was very happy with this game. I congratulated him on Sunday. I don't know what he learned from me, but when we all worked at West Ham, we talked about.”
Pellegrini did not give much away about his game plan, but noted that Betis would be loyal to their identity among him.
“The most important thing to win is to be the same team that we have always been, which has been able to get to qualify for Europe for the fifth time in a row and to fight almost the end for the Champions League. You should know how to manage the emotional aspect and not make mistakes because of an excess motivation.”
Both Isco and Marc Bartra had emphasized that Chelsea had a considerable financial benefit compared to betis, but Pellegrini did not feel that this made betis underdogs.
“It would be very easy for me to say that Chelsea is the favorites because they have more money than we do, but I do not agree. Both teams have exactly the same opportunities to win. It depends on the performance of the players on the field. We also have a number of very experienced players, there are not the first minute. 90th, we will see who can do it.”
One of the stories of the season is the revival of Manchester United loaner Antony, who came on loan in January. He has been a crucial part of Betis' reaction in the second half of the season, scored twice and assists in the semi -final against Fiorentina.
“He has the potential to be the leader of this great final. I spoke with him and told us he was not happy because he was not playing; he had many complaints about it. He wanted to show who he was. It is not easy to pay € 100 million for someone, so it is clear that he is a great player. Betis is a club where he can be improved in his career.”
Pellegrini gave little away about his line-up and said he had “11 doubts “for the final. January signed Cucho Hernandez and William Carvalho are not registered for the final, while central defender Diego Llorente is injured and stayed out of the final, and he will stay in the stands with Hector Bellerin. The good news for Betis is that Giovani Lo Celso will probably make it. There is also uncertainty about whether backup goalkeeper Fran Vieites will remain in the goal in Europe, whether Adrian Sanchez will return.