Mauricio Pochettino maintains that he and his Espanyol players are determined to turn around their current situation, for the confidence it will bring.
From the first four rounds of action, the Catalan club find themselves in the relegation places after picking up just one point.
“The team needs to restore some points in the table and also their confidence. For our self-esteem, every game will be vital and we are motivated this weekend to get a result,” reflected the Coach at today’s Press conference.
“I do not feel anxiety, nor an obsession or anything similar from the group. The team are aware that they have things to improve upon, but most important is that as a block they believe in what they are doing. They have taken the responsibility to win points now.”
That responsibility comes away to a Real Betis side coached by Pepe Mel that sit five points and 12 places ahead of Los Periquitos before Week 5.
“They are a team trying to play good football and we know that we will encounter a dangerous opponent. Even so, it is too early to make an analysis until each clubs finds their balance in the League, so their place in the table has a question mark next to it.”
Pochettino is without Samuele Longo through suspension and didn’t rule out a change in formation to accommodate just Christian Stuani as a lone striker.
“I see him playing up front alone, he has done so for Levante and Racing before. I’ll see if the situation changes, but we can play with one or two strikers. But there are also many others who can play instead of him.”
The Coach is suspended for the tie – and the following week’s home match with Atletico Madrid – after the Spanish Football Federation handed him and his assistant respective two-match bans for their dismissal for protestation during Espanyol’s last match.
“My absence does not necessarily influence the communication, it will simply just be different. I cannot be on the edge of the field, but the dynamic will still be the same.
“I don’t know how I will react, I will be caged.”
Espanyol squad to play Real Betis: Cristian Alvarez, Raul Rodriguez, Víctor Sanchez, Tejera, Stuani, Verdu, Rui Fonte, Casilla, Galan, Hector Moreno, Javi Lopez, Capdevila, Simao, Wakaso, Cristian Gomez, Christian Alfonso, Victor Alvarez, Fran Miranda
