This press conference was originally streamed on the Real Betis Balompié YouTube channel.
The comeback
“It’s doubly impressive, first of all taking into account that we were facing one of the big Scottish clubs that normally plays in the Champions League, wins titles every year and has good players, which we all knew before the start of the game. I think the fact that we played so poorly in the opening 25 minutes makes the victory doubly impressive, firstly because we were able to correct our mistakes and secondly because of the conviction we showed in keeping going when we were behind. We could’ve had at least three or four more goals in the first half but we at least managed to get it back to 2-2 and we cut out our mistakes in the second half to get 4-2 ahead and win against a difficult opponent.”
Top of the group
“We talked about the importance of picking up as many points as possible at home and here we had to try to beat a tough opponent. We went for it from the first minute of the game and I’m really happy with the conviction we showed in doing so. Of course, there were some mistakes that we need to cut out but we deserve credit for being able to do that during the match and not after. These first three points are great but we’re not thinking about being top of the group, we’re thinking about having picked up the three points and winning the game but now we have to focus on the next three matches in LaLiga and then we’ll start preparing for the trip to Hungary.”
Half-time
“I think we’d sorted things out by then. We had a disastrous first 25 minutes but then we had 20 minutes in which we scored two goals, regained control of possession and Claudio Bravo made a really good save. Going back to the issue of why we kept losing the ball, they had two midfielders who we kept letting get in behind us but we changed things and I think that we dominated the second half until we went 4-2 ahead and of course defended our lead more in the last quarter of an hour.”
Birthday celebrations
“It’s been wonderful to feel the fans’ affection. I’ve felt it ever since I’ve been here but to be able to celebrate my birthday with them by winning a game makes me doubly happy.”
Miranda
“I think that Juan Miranda, like all the other players, is going to be in and out of the starting line-up. At half time, he felt a little niggle and we thought about taking him off then so as to not use up one of our substitution stoppages. But he told us that he could play on until he felt a muscle contracture and Álex Moreno had to replace him.”
Fekir and Canales
“Any team would be weakened by taking off important players like Fekir and Sergio Canales. But they’re in the same boat as Juan Miranda and everybody else, we have to manage the squad. They could play 90 minutes every four days but when we’re 4-2 ahead I think the attackers have done their jobs and need to rest. Defending a two-goal is a team effort and it was important for Nabil to rest and recover. Taking off those two players can affect the team but we have to be ready to play without them.”
In-game changes
“I think we played against a big European team who are used to playing in this type of competition, a very attacking team that looks for spaces and we didn’t have the ability to close down those spaces in the first 25 minutes. But we fixed that problem in the first half and after that they weren’t as dangerous. That’s that way football is and that’s why it’s the most popular sport in the world. This team doesn’t give up easily and the support of the fans was also really important, we need them to be behind us all the time.”
Still no clean sheet
“I think we’ve been very good defensively in the four league games we’ve played. Our opponents have had very few chances, although it’s true that they’ve managed to score and you always think that can be avoided. But I said before that an average of one goal (conceded) per game would see the total drop from 50 to 38 and that would ultimately leave us in a better place. We saw yesterday that a fantastic team like Manchester City won 6-3 and that mistakes are punished but we’ll keep doing what we’re doing.”
Juanmi
“I’m really happy, not only for Juanmi, but for all the players who’ve had a chance to play. I spoke to Borja (Iglesias), who wasn’t happy with how he performed the other day, but I think he is today. Juanmi also did quite well and I think it’s important that the players show why they’re in the team when they have the chance.”