Real Betis boss Pepe Mel has all but ruled both Ruben Castro and Jorge Molina out of tomorrow’s derby with Sevilla.
It was hoped both strikers may have been available for a game that is crucial to bottom club Betis’ hopes of climbing the table, but Mel told a Press conference that right now the chances of them making it are “zero”.
“Obviously we need to see what the doctors say and Jorge has gone to have some tests in Sevilla, but at the moment his chances are zero.
“It’s the same with Ruben. He’s not trained since the beginning of the week so it looks as if neither will play.”
However, Mel acknowledged that if there was even a slim chance either could make it then it may be worth the gamble, while both joined up with the group on Saturday morning.
“If ever there was a game when we could force them to play then it would be Sunday’s. We have to get away from bottom spot, whether it’s Sevilla who we are playing or not.
“If there is even the slightest chance then they will both be there,” he said, before revealing that Chuli may play as a lone striker at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
“Chuli will fit in well at No 9 and could bring a lot of things to the team. Of all the squad he is the most similar to Ruben.
“His movement is good and that allows players like Joan Verdu to play their football. If he plays from the start then I’ve absolute confidence he will do well.”
Mel does not deny the importance of the game to Los Beticos, but attempted to put it into perspective.
“We are not going to Vietnam. It’s a football game with a lot of feelings involved and I sincerely hope that Betis win, but we must be calm and not treat it as if we were going to war.”
