Rafael Van Der Vaart outlined Real Betis’ targets for their first season back in the Primera: ‘Win at Sevilla, win the return, and stay up.’
Van Der Vaart signed for Betis on a free transfer after leaving Hamburg over the summer and moved to Benito Villamarin as it is close to his grandparents’ home.
“I can say that at Betis I am back to being totally happy,” the former Real Madrid midfielder told German publication Bild, AS reports, as he explained what it’s like living next door to Sevilla goalkeeper Beto.
“Does he play loud music? It doesn’t matter. Over the summer my son Damian kicked about 25 balls into his garden and he didn’t complain.”
The first Seville derby of the season will be more hostile, however, and Van Der Vaart is already looking forward to the head-to-heads.
“My goals? Win the first game at Sevilla, win the return leg and stay up,” he said.
“People here only talk about football. They drink coffee in the morning, have lunch on the banks of the Guadalquivir and eat ham in the evening. I’d leave everything behind for that.
“You can’t go anywhere to eat before 10pm. The Spaniards are nocturnal creatures.
“In Hamburg I lived in the town centre. My friends and acquaintances were close. In Seville I will only occasionally eat in town.”
Van Der Vaart added that he is at Betis for the long-term, after the injury that delayed his debut was raised.
“It’s fine now. I’m delighted with La Liga and I’m looking forward to the next three years,” he confirmed.
