Manuel Pellegrini, Betis coach, appeared in the run-up to the League clash against Celta to summarize the moment his team is going through and try to expose the challenges it faces with a view to 2022: “It was a brilliant year 2021, not only because of the sporting results. I think the club is in a moment of stability. The foundations are solid and we must finish this good job that we have done.”
Training absences: “Today there were quite a few absences for different reasons. We hope to recover some who have some minor ailments. Rui Silva knows that he has his decision to play or not according to his state of mind. The decision is his personal. Borja Iglesias and Ruibal? Tomorrow we will make the list after talking to the medical corps as well. “
Pandemic: “This issue of COVID is conditioning, daily life is not normal, the mood is different with this wave of infections. More than ever, these are complicated moments and you have to take care of yourself.”
Celta Vigo: “I think it is a very good team that perhaps did not have the results they expected at home. They deserved better results, their game system is clear, they have a winning and offensive spirit. There are very good players, we will have to make a great game” .
La Liga Santander
* Data updated as of December 31, 2021
Renewal: “I am happy with what is being worked on, when two parties renew a contract it is because there is trust. There is an idea of extending this over time.”
Winter market: “I do not think we will have participation, although we cannot close to everything. The squad is complete in general terms. They are all responding to the demands. I do not close myself to anything, but I do not think we will have participation. Exits? I do not rule out anything “You never know what will happen, but the general idea is that nobody comes and nobody leaves. What we cannot do is weaken the squad. We will play every three days, there are FIFA dates, then the European competition arrives. .. “.
Sabaly: “He is not a player who is still ready to play, but he raised the loads day by day and I hope that in about ten days he will be available to return.”
Moments of the year: “The best was the union between the fans and the team. The worst part was the beginning of last season. I keep everything positive. Suspension for COVID? There are people who are experts on the subject, it is not for me to say the path for it. I don’t know if it will stretch in time either, so the experts will say. “
Borja Iglesias and Ruibal return; Joaquín and Miranda are absent
Betis morning training left some good news for Manuel Pellegrini and also new absences. Borja Iglesias, who is leaving COVID behind, returned to exercise with the group, while Aitor Ruibal was also one of the novelties in the running. By contrast, there were absences such as Joaquín, Miranda, Sabaly and Rober, who joined others from previous days such as Fekir, Pezella or Claudio Bravo. Rui Silva has permission from the club before the death of his father and Pellegrino himself assured that it will depend on him whether or not he is against Celta.