Canales: “We have created a winning mentality”

Sergio Canales Madrazo (2/16/1991, Santander) leads a Betis that dreams of its third Copa del Rey title. The Cantabrian, who is experiencing moments of brilliance in Heliopolis, warns of the danger of Valencia, asks for caution about favoritism, but also warns of the need to continue winning. He admits that Pellegrini fired the triumphant capacity of this squad and does not hesitate to highlight his alliances on the pitch with Fekir o Alex Moreno. She looks at the end and wants it to be hers.

How do you get to this final?

-The break was good for me. He did, in quotes, a small preseason after that injury. I arrive with great enthusiasm. There was a lot of mental demand and it showed. Now there is a lot of enthusiasm and I think that the team arrives at a good time.

Have you hesitated in that slump?

-Do not. We were aware that difficult moments would come. It happens to everyone. But we have always competed, we always hoped to reach the Champions positions and that never changed. The illusion or optimism was never lost, even more so with a Cup final ahead.

January 2021. Everything was very different. What changed?

-The mentality was to reach Europe. It was always the goal and it was not going to change. We had to demand much more of ourselves. We had to create that winning mentality that we have achieved now. The coach also arrived, who always fought to win in the best teams in the world. That conveys that the project is ambitious.

What does this end mean?

It is a goal that we had set for ourselves. It cost us a lot, we had very difficult games and we went for it. It will be an unforgettable day, very special. It is a great responsibility, we have to start from minute one knowing that there is a city devoted to us.

17 years passed…

-Any ending is special. Playing it in our city gives it a huge plus. The fans have always responded to us, it is different and makes the club different.

There is a Cup title in your record in 2011.

-I lived that final and I enjoyed it, although I didn’t play it. It is not a thorn stuck but an experience.

It helps you?

-Yes. Now it helps me to have seen how those players prepared for that game. I can take advantage of that now.

Is there a favourite?

-There is not in a final. Valencia is a great team and we know how their coach competes. I am clear that we must go out and do what we do in all games. They have players who have already lived through this moment.

How do you see Valencia?

He is very strong defensively. Then he has very good players up front like Guedes, Carlos Soler, Gayà when he joins. He can beat anyone. He is here on his own merits.

He has a very specific style of play. It used to cost you…

-Yes, but this year we have taken those games forward. A final is a final. Is different. Beyond the style, the duel will be in our heads. We will have to overcome that atmosphere, that desire… It is still a football game and we can make a difference there.

Have you improved mentally?

-Yes, this season we see it when we are behind on the scoreboard. In Cádiz or against Celtic… Those comebacks show that you have improved a lot and that gives you confidence.

Is it the best Betis in history?

-There is enthusiasm in the locker room to be part of the club’s history. Is beautiful. In this club there were very good players who did great things. But it is better to talk about those things when they have happened. Now we can’t think about that, but about continuing to win and not setting a ceiling for ourselves.

What weight does Pellegrini have in this?

-It’s very important. It gave us peace of mind, security, individual confidence to the whole team. In bad times he transmitted the same to us. The idea never changed. It makes us grow individually and collectively.

There is a special connection with Fekir.

-It’s a pleasure to play with him. It’s probably one of the best I’ve ever played. You know that the ball you give him is going to do you good. It is a delight. Also off the field. He is one of the squad, we love him. He has done a lot to be in the locker room and that makes the connection greater later.

You also have it with Álex Moreno when he runs into space…

-It has cost us to get to that point… But it is true that right now I feel very comfortable playing with Álex. Sometimes without looking I know where he is and when he starts his career. It is a brutal alternative. He has taken a leap this year in every way. He is exploiting easy play to break into space.

And Joaquin. Even when?

-As it continues like this… until you’re 50… I don’t know, the truth is that it’s very good. He is at a good pace and has those first meters that nobody else has.

Does this mark the season?

-It marks you and it doesn’t mark you. We will fight until the last minute for the Champions League no matter what happens there. I trust in the mental strength of the team to face any situation.