Pepe Mel admits that even a win against Real Madrid this weekend would not see Real Betis forgiven by their fans for last weekend.
Week 12 saw Los Beticos hammered 5-1 away to city rivals Sevilla in the derby and out of that match, the team now welcome League champions Madrid to the Benito Villamarin this Saturday night.
“It is never a good time to play against Madrid, because after the derby there is the psychological aftermath and then also physical recovery.
“We lost three defenders and we have to rebuild the team,” rued former Madrid forward Mel, before reflecting on the fans’ reaction to the situation.
“We knew training this week would be hard, but we could not close the doors to the fans.
“We had to endure the downpour. It had to be experienced because so many people had put their hopes in us and we failed.
“I don’t think the Beticos will forgive us even if we win against Madrid. But I’m sure they will encourage us, they are generous supporters.”
Mel was asked of the chances of his side picking up a result against Jose Mourinho’s team.
“It is an unequal struggle. Only through the ambition of doubling our efforts will we be able to have the slightest chance of getting some points.
“But there is hope. We have always been a bull-fighting club and in the sense of the great [Seville bullfighter] Curro Romero, we can play a horrible match against our arch-rivals and then immediately afterwards put up a wall against all of Madrid.”
