Following the Tremendous Cup triumph on the weekend, Barcelona will look to proceed their momentum as they tackle Actual Betis in Copa Del Rey this midweek.
The Catalans are approaching the again of a win over Barbastro within the Spherical of 32. However issues might get considerably trickier towards a Betis aspect trying to trigger an upset.
Heading into this sport, veteran Betis supervisor Manuel Pellegrini spoke of his crew’s probabilities of pulling off that upset.
Manuel Pellegrini forward of Barcelona conflict
“They’re a really robust opponent, in fact. Barcelona at dwelling is just not the perfect draw, however we’ll nonetheless go for the win,” Pellegrini started (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
The previous Man Metropolis supervisor, although, did level out that Barcelona have dropped factors at dwelling this season.
“We should not overlook that they’ve misplaced three dwelling video games, one towards Las Palmas and one other towards Leganés,” he added.
Speaking about Actual Betis’ technique to cease Barcelona’s momentum, Pellegrini burdened the necessity for taking part in to their potential.
“On Sunday they performed very effectively towards Actual Madrid and that’s soccer: we’re going to attempt to cushion all the good virtues they’ve and play the sport we did right here, the place we had many extra probabilities to win than them,” he mentioned.
Heading into this important affair, Betis have suffered a large blow as prime scorer Giovani Lo Celso has been dominated out with an harm.
Nonetheless, that received’t cease Betis from posing a troublesome contest and replicating their efficiency from December, the place they have been in a position to maintain Barça to a draw.
“We’re going to attempt to present there why we might have overwhelmed them right here within the sport that ended 2-2. Barcelona’s final efficiency was very good, indubitably, however they’ve misplaced three video games at dwelling,” he remarked.
Can Pellegrini’s Actual Betis stage a shock this midweek? (Picture by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Photos)
“Soccer is unpredictable and we don’t know what the sport can be like, that’s why it’s such a preferred sport, as a result of many issues can’t be defined.
“What I do count on is a Betis that goes with persona to attempt to get by way of to the following spherical and if we don’t handle to take action, will probably be as a result of Barcelona performed higher and never as a result of we had a nasty efficiency, that’s what’s essential,” he added.
When requested about Barcelona gamers doubtlessly feeling hungover after a weeklong journey to Saudi Arabia, Pellegrini admitted it wasn’t a perfect situation for the opposition.
“It’s not supreme for a match, however as I at all times say, the end result can be determined by particular person efficiency and collective functioning.
“I hope we play the sport we did right here towards Barcelona as a result of we had so many scoring alternatives that we should always have received. These are totally different video games, now we’re away and we hope to place in a great efficiency,” he mentioned.
Lastly, Pellegrini answered questions on Actual Betis’ inconsistent kind this season. The coach argued that it has been the case for nearly all La Liga groups this season.
“It’s not simply Betis. It’s occurring to all groups. Barcelona misplaced three dwelling video games once they appeared unbeatable after which scored 5 objectives towards Madrid,” he mentioned.
“All groups have dangerous video games, however greater than the dangerous video games, I’m bothered by the factors we’ve wasted at dwelling by enjoying excellent video games. The defeats have been deserved, particularly within the Convention, however within the League, we should always have a number of extra factors,” he concluded.