Real Betis Coach Gabriel Calderon believes the game against Atletico Madrid was decided when his side went down to 10 men.
Braian Rodriguez was dismissed with 53 minutes played and the game goalless – Atletico scored four minutes later and added a second six minutes after that.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Calderon rued the Uruguayan’s red card.
“There were two halves to this game. The dismissal of Braian changed it,” Calderon said.
“We played 120 minutes [against Sevilla in the Europa League] on Thursday and against a strong opponent [in this match], that’s what changed the game.
“The first [yellow card] shouldn’t have been given. He turned to avoid the challenge and the Atletico player went down like he’d been shot.”
Calderon added that Betis would keep working to avoid the drop and said fortune was conspiring against his side.
“Every game is a final for us and we have to win our next game,” Calderon insisted.
“Fate is being cruel to us but we have to keep fighting and maintain the effort we’re showing.”
