Pellegrini analyzed Real Betis's La Liga match against Real Madrid tomorrow.
Real Betis coach Pellegrini held a press conference at the Luis del Sol training ground this afternoon to preview tomorrow's fourth La Liga match against Real Madrid at the La Cartuja stadium. He also commented on the transfer market, which closed last Tuesday, reiterating that the team still needs a defensive midfielder.
On the team's preparation: "Like all teams at the start of the season, we're finding our rhythm match by match. We've played three matches—the first two were quite good, the last one very poor. Performance fluctuates, which often happens. We hope to play well tomorrow and regain our level at home."
On the transfer market and lack of a defensive midfielder: "The squad is closed, as you said. I've already stated my position, and it won't change in a few days. We'll assess week by week and find the best solution."
On having only two defensive midfielders: "These analyses are your job. This week I'll try different solutions and positions. We know everyone's characteristics and capabilities. We'll see if they can play together, check the fixture schedule, monitor injuries—these factors always affect the ideal lineup for each match."
On whether Ceballos can make a difference: "Last week I already said what we needed. Dani Ceballos's career has proven he's a quality player who can help us in this position. We'll have different options, and there's no doubt he'll be a very good reinforcement. As for other analyses, let's set them aside—if you only ask me about Ceballos, he will undoubtedly be an important option."
Can Ceballos play tomorrow? "No. He's not on the squad list. He just joined and needs time to integrate. He hasn't played in a while, so he's not yet eligible for tomorrow's match."
On disagreements with the club's sports management: "Everyone has the right to express their opinions, and we view things differently. I won't publicly analyze internal club discussions."
On the dispute with Mourinho: "Mourinho and I have known each other for many years with many confrontations on the pitch. Long ago there was a verbal dispute between us, but that's had no lasting impact. Everyone can say what they want. I was very happy at Málaga—one of the best decisions of my career—so there's no conflict between us. Perhaps the media wants to create opposition. We've played many times: sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. I've always had a high opinion of him as a coach. I think he's much more mature now than he was a few years ago and speaks more rationally."
On Pablo García's departure: "There are several aspects to García's departure. First, I spoke to him about a month ago and advised him to stay—he's an important player who still needs to mature and has a promising future. Second, he wanted to leave; in recent weeks he's been seeking opportunities and communicating with relevant people. Third, after so many years at Real Betis, he may have been emotionally affected by the change."
On tomorrow's opponent: "This will be a very difficult match, as always against top teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid signed many players this year, are in good form, and have players who can change the game. If we want to get points, we must play a complete match."
On other absent players: "Giovani Lo Celso and Abde are not available tomorrow. Giovani is nearly ready and has participated in almost all full-squad training sessions. Abde has flu symptoms today and couldn't come. We hope both will be available next week."
On Antony and other absences: "Diego Conde and Aitor are out due to previous injuries. Antony had a viral infection with fever and flu symptoms a few days ago, but he's trained normally for three consecutive days, so he'll be on the squad list tomorrow. Only Lozada is excluded from the 23-man squad, along with Ceballos, who is still integrating."
On overlapping positions: "You should know my opinion. Otherwise I would have said long ago: we still need an attacking midfielder, a striker, a goalkeeper, and a full-back. If I say we need a player and that player hasn't arrived, my opinion remains the same. Other positions have double depth, as in previous years, so there's no major problem."
On how he views Ceballos's position: "I don't think this will be limiting. Both players are very versatile. Ceballos has played behind the striker, alongside the defensive midfielder, and on the wing. Pablo Fornals can do the same. Their characteristics aren't limited to one position—they can perform in different roles."
On Iker Losada's decision to stay: "I have no particular opinion. For me, the squad is the squad, and I'll decide which players are in the best form for each match. It's not my job to drive players away—my job is to guide them and make them available. These players were bought not long ago. Losada knows my opinion. His position is difficult with Isco, Lo Celso, Ceballos, and Fornals ahead of him, but that's the player's decision. My task is to work with all of them equally, regardless of cost or status."
On fan disappointment with the transfer market: "I understand that football is full of passion, not pure rationality. Real Betis fans have that passion, and naturally everyone wants a stronger squad. We also need to recognize that expectations will be higher. Champions League matches will bring frustrations and difficult moments, but I think this team has proven itself over the years. We've had seasons where we sold far more than we bought, but the team always stepped up. Now we face a higher level because of the Champions League. Fans naturally have high expectations, but I believe our supporters will stick with us, and our players will do their best in every match to satisfy them."
On whether he can guarantee the team will step up: "I can't predict the future. But I can tell you that anything can happen in football, which is why the sport is so popular. We played very well in the first two matches and conceded nothing. In preseason our opponents didn't score either. Before playing us, Levante had never conceded, and then they scored five and we conceded five. That's football—every day is different. I always tell the players: after a win, celebrate for 24 hours; after a loss, process it for 24 hours. The next match is completely different, and we'll approach it with the same mentality we've had for the past seven seasons."
On De Osa's conversation with teammates: "I've already said I won't interfere with whether players accept or decline offers. Nilsson de Osa was discussing another matter yesterday unrelated to himself—a personal matter he wanted the whole team to know about. It has nothing to do with football; it's just an off-field topic with no major impact."
On Morante's return: "Morante is on the squad list. Unfortunately he suffered a serious knee injury previously, and this is the first time he's been able to participate in training at almost 100%. So yes, he's been called up."
On the European squad list and Amrabat: "The list is what it is, nothing else. Regarding Amrabat, I've always stayed in touch with departing players, thanked them for their efforts, and shared my personal opinion. That matter is closed. Amrabat has signed with Ajax, and I wish him all the best in his future. We'll focus on the players we have."
On his future at Real Betis: "That's not my priority at the moment, so I don't think there will be any impact in that regard."
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