Víctor Camarasa: “I will go to the top; it is time to succeed with Betis”

What did Camarasa think when he learned that Pellegrini wants to have him at Betis?

That gives a lot of confidence. That a technician of this caliber wants to count on you is a pride.

The Chilean coach already noticed you when he was at West Ham and you were at Cardiff City.

While in Wales I did not have the opportunity not to speak with him, but people close to him did and although there was no offer, there were contacts with West Ham. You just have to look at Pellegrini's career, he has done a lot of good things in football.

What has Camarasa learned from these assignments?

Being away from home makes you mature: a new language, another way of playing football … At the Palace it was a difficult half year, I had just had a good campaign at Cardiff and with expectations, but they didn't give me just minutes and that. that he trained well every day, put on a good face. It's not that I played and did it wrong, it's that I hardly played. But everything changed in Vitoria.

As before Betis. Did you have those feelings?

I'm happy to have played and to have achieved the goal of saving us. At Alavés I once again felt like an important footballer.

And their position? This time in Mendizorroza he has not played as close to the area as with Pellegrino.

I am comfortable in any position in the center of the field. It was about helping the team and I adapted, although it is true that I like to have arrival. When you play and have minutes, there are no excuses: you must perform wherever you are.

Where do you think Pellegrini intends to use you?

I will always try to adapt to the style of play that is needed. Perhaps Pellegrini does not use such a positional model and there may be those transitions and verticality that are good for me, that ability to reach the top and then defend when necessary.

What memories do you have of your first and only year playing for Betis?

It was not very good on a personal level, but it was on a collective level, because we ended up entering Europe. Now I go back to the top, eager to show what I have not shown. It is time to succeed there.

The club, after a 15th place, is not very good.

It's very sad for the great history that Betis has, for the fans and for the quality of the players. But it's football and those things happen. With the club and the fans we must be in Europe.

Are you afraid that the coronavirus will load football?

Like everyone. There is a lot of uncertainty about whether or not everything will start normally, it will be difficult. Football thrives on people and it is a shame to see empty stadiums, apart from many other problems. But for sure we will get out of this one.

What do you expect from the 20-21 season?

I think my moment has come at Betis. I am very excited and eager. In that city and that club we have everything to succeed, so that we get a good classification and, personally, have a great season. I signed three years ago, I have that thorn stuck there and this opportunity they give me is spectacular to be able to show Beticism that there is a player here who is worthwhile.