Calderon wants good Betis start

Gabriel Calderon believes it’s vital Real Betis start the Europa League derby with Sevilla in the best possible way.

The first leg of the tie comes on Thursday at Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan home and Calderon told a pre-match Press conference that since he was appointed as Betis Coach, he was worked to make sure the side start games well.

“It’s something I’ve worked particularly hard on,” Calderon confirmed.

“In the League Betis had been conceding too many goals and very quickly in games.

“We’ve improved this a great deal recently. The players and I are very aware of the importance of the first moments in games like this.”

Calderon added that despite the gap between the sides in La Liga – Sevilla in seventh, Betis bottom – the game wouldn’t necessarily follow suit.

“Every game is different. Sometimes the statistics are right, sometimes they’re not,” Calderon continued.

“We have to keep going the way we have been lately whatever competition we’re in.

“We’re coming into this game after some good away performances so we’re aiming for more of the same.”

Calderon stressed however that while he believes his side can get a result, he doesn’t expect it to be easy.

The Coach also pinpointed Ivan Rakitic as Sevilla’s most dangerous player.

“You never know what will happen in football – that’s one of the most beautiful things about it.

“We’re going into this game with enthusiasm, confidence and humility and want to keep working the way we have been.

“We have to organise ourselves well but we also have to control Rakitic, and the quality of their forwards.

“What’s most fundamental is ourselves and controlling the strength of our opponents.”

Tags Gabriel Calderon
La Liga - Club News