According to Diario Sport, Real Betis coach Pellegrini said at the pre-match press conference against Elche that Natan de Souza is still likely to be included in the squad, Rodriguez and D.Llorente are available to play; he also emphasized that Betis' six consecutive years of European qualification is thanks to everyone.
Speaking about the team's condition, Pellegrini said: "First of all, as I have always said, I think it will be difficult, every game in La Liga is difficult. Teams in complicated ranking positions will be even more difficult to deal with because they must avoid relegation, so we must play a very complete game."
Talking about Natan de Souza's situation, he said: "He is still under observation and is very likely to be included in the match squad. From today until tomorrow local time, we will see if he is eligible to be selected, whether he can start or only play for a period of time."
Talking about participating in European competitions for the sixth consecutive year, Pellegrini said: "The most important thing is to be clear about what you have achieved. The final summary is that no one could have imagined this six years ago. If this is not enough to be recognized and it has to be the Champions League, it will further illustrate the value of what we have done. As for more games being reversed by opponents, there is no simple explanation. From the media's point of view, if you make substitutions but don't win, no one will say the opposite; if you don't make substitutions and don't win, it's the same. But whether we win or lose, I take responsibility, and at the same time I will continue to give the responsibility for victory and defeat to the players."
Talking about the Champions League target, he said: "First of all, I am very proud that we are participating in European events for the sixth time. I have coached in Spain for 12 seasons and have led my team to European competitions every time. This is a personal recognition of my hard work, whether I do better or worse. Next, we need to see how to continue to grow and how the team's growth space is getting smaller and smaller."
Talking about Rodriguez and D.Llorente's situations, Pellegrini said: "Rodriguez is in good condition and there should be no problem for him to be included in the match squad. Diego has a slight contraction, but the recovery is progressing positively."
Talking about the psychological aspect, he said: "There are many important factors, such as results. Of course, it also includes the entire psychological aspect. The second half of this season has been somewhat turbulent in terms of results. Maybe this is not entirely consistent with data and mathematics, but the data is accurate. We have not won several games in the second half of the season, and we have also been reversed several times, which is indeed very hurtful, especially when leading 2-0. But football does not end because you are leading 2-0. Therefore, in this series of situations, we will find the best way to communicate with the players and make them understand – and I think so too – that football depends on a certain moment. You may win 5-0 in the last game, but if you think you will definitely win because you just won 5-0, you may also lose. Losing is the same. Once you lose, you have to be self-critical and evaluate what you have done. But as I said, it was a very strange first half because we haven't had so many losses for many years, we were eliminated from the Europa League; and when we don't play in European competitions, our performance in the league is close to 60% scoring rate, so playing in European competitions is not easy. If we are now ranked fifth, then this stage is not so bad. Furthermore, from the third accurate statistical conclusion, I think we are third in the second half of the season standings, but this period has only brought criticism and dissatisfaction."
Talking about Sofyan Amrabat, Pellegrini said: "First of all, we must finish this season before focusing on talking about it. We must first see where the final ranking is, and then see what changes will happen to the lineup for different reasons. This is a topic that will be discussed in the future. Sofyan Amrabat has helped us in a position where we did not previously have a real expert, but Altimira and Marc Roca have also played there. The defensive midfielder plays a very important role."
Talking about Betis' growth and his personal plan to take the team further, he said: "Of course, I came with great expectations because the team's lineup is very good. The club invested a lot of money in introducing players that year, and of course sold many players, but I think the signings are quite important. After communicating with them, the goal was to qualify for European competitions. It is not easy to do this six times in a row. Football reasons, ideas, and a management team that believes in the project, plus a series of factors, have allowed us to participate in European competitions for these six seasons. This does not mean that criticism cannot be accepted, I fully accept it. Everyone will judge how far a project can go. Six consecutive years of European qualification is thanks to everyone."
Talking about calling on fans to wear green and white to cheer, Pellegrini said: "I think the call can be there or not, Real Betis fans don't need it. The stadium is always full, and the away games are also among the teams that bring the most fans. If there is anything that Betis does not lack, it is a full stadium and fans who have always supported us."
Talking about Isco, he said: "His recovery is progressing as expected by the medical team. Of course, his performance is also related to the overall performance of the team. He delivered a key pass against Girona a few days ago, which was very important; but if we draw this game, people's views on him will be different."
Talking about the importance of managing Champions League qualification, Pellegrini said: "This is a topic that will be discussed after we enter the Champions League, and of course it is an important issue. But first we must achieve this result, and it depends only on ourselves. As we have discussed with the team many times, the last five rounds depend on winning three home games. We have already won the first game, and there are two more home games to win. Therefore, although the draw with Real Sociedad was disappointing, it was also a point. Perhaps this point would not have been seen as very important before the game, but as I said, the opponent itself is very strong. So in this regard, we must continue to be on the right path and strive to prove this on the field tomorrow local time. This expectation is based on football facts."
Talking about Lo Celso, Pellegrini said: "When you line up the starting lineup, you consider many aspects, including the next game. We had Lo Celso, Cucho Hernández, Hector, Chimi and Sofyan Amrabat at risk of yellow cards at the time. Player recovery is also important, from Saturday to Tuesday is not the same as from Saturday to Saturday. Therefore, due to different situations, we arranged the starting lineup, and then we will see which lineup is most suitable to start the game and finish the game."
Talking about Lo Celso and the Argentina team, he said: "I think he is definitely a player who can change the balance of the game, so I have no doubt that he will participate in the World Cup with Argentina. On the other hand, I don't think he is suitable for playing 90 minutes on Saturday and then another 90 minutes on Tuesday. He has suffered a fairly complicated injury before, which is a relatively long tendon injury. Therefore, we will treat each player in the way we think is most correct. But without a doubt, he is definitely a player who can change the situation and is in good condition."
Talking about planning and criticism, Pellegrini said: "If the team finally ranks tenth, I fully understand the severe criticism of the team's planning. But when the team once again qualifies for European competitions, when we enter the Europa League quarter-finals for the first time in the team's history, when we enter the Copa del Rey quarter-finals and are eliminated by Atletico Madrid, when we lock in European qualification three rounds in advance, and there is only criticism in the second half of the season, then perhaps it is more these criticisms that need to be re-examined, rather than the planning itself."