Pellegrini says Real Betis made their chance count to defeat Real Madrid

Manuel Pellegrini said Real Betis deserved their victory over Real Madrid because they converted the decisive opportunity, while their opponents failed to do so. The Chilean manager also dismissed suggestions from Jose Mourinho that Betis had played only for a draw or that refereeing decisions had determined the result.

Pellegrini said Real Betis had approached the match with the intention of winning from the opening whistle and rejected the idea that the outcome had been shaped by the officials.

“The team came out to win from the first minute against a great opponent, and of course that is difficult,” Pellegrini said, according to Spanish newspaper AS. “In the second half we had more possession. They created chances from set-pieces, which Alvaro Valles saved, but we were the ones who scored. Perhaps a draw would have been a fair result, but we took the chance we had and they did not.”

The result allowed Real Betis to respond immediately after a difficult week, which had included their match against Levante. Pellegrini said he had reminded his players of the approach he has maintained throughout his seven years at the club.

“I gave the players the same message that I have repeated throughout the past seven years. Football gives you only 24 hours to enjoy victories and suffer defeats,” he said.

“We must understand what happened against Levante and carry out a proper self-assessment. After 24 hours, we must be convinced about what we are doing.”

Pellegrini said he had expected Real Betis to recover their balance, pointing to the mentality he believes has been established within the squad.

“I was confident that we would react because I have seen that for seven years. We do not become arrogant after victories and we do not beat ourselves up because of defeats,” he said.

“Our ambition always remains the same despite setbacks, and it is difficult for us to suffer two setbacks in a row.”

The manager also explained the thinking behind his substitutions during the match. He said the heat had begun to affect the players and that refreshing the midfield had been the right decision, although he stressed that the response of the substitutes ultimately determines whether a change succeeds.

“Individual performance is what makes substitutions successful. Fatigue began to appear because of the heat and I think bringing fresh legs into midfield was a good decision,” Pellegrini said.

“But the players are the ones who make changes look good or bad. Those who came on entered the match with an extremely sharp focus.”

Pellegrini acknowledged the aerial threat posed by Real Madrid, but noted that Real Betis had also managed to score from a set-piece.

“Real Madrid have players who are very powerful in aerial situations, but we also scored from a set-piece,” he said.

He ended by rejecting any suggestion that the officials had played a significant role in the result.

“I do not think the refereeing had any influence, and I do not believe there were decisive decisions that affected the result,” Pellegrini said. “We won because we took one chance and they did not.”