The new Adidas Official Real Betis Balompié in Plaza Nueva store opened its gates yesterday. Joaquín, Adán and Portillo were present in the vent and spoke for the media gathered there.

Joaquín was the first one to talk to give his impressions about the opening of the new store: “The expectations were high because not many teams have the social impact Betis has. And now with a brand like Adidas and a location such as Plaza Nueva, we can’t ask for more than that. Now we need many families to come in and buy so Real Betis colours can be seen all over the world. There’s no doubt it will be like this because our fans wear this badge and colours with pride.”

How is your diet to perform at that level?: “I try to look after myself as much as I can so I try to eat as much jamón and Spanish omelet as I can (laughter). In the days prior to a match we do a balanced diet so we can perform on the pitch. In my case, pasta and a lot of hydration.”

Match against Athletic Club: “We could see yesterday that they are an aggressive team that plays with a lot of tension. We know them well but we have to make them feel worried. When we play well we create a style based on ball possession and we can beat anyone. After the two last matches at home, we need to take a burden off our shoulders against Athletic Club. It’s a key match for us so we need to play well against a great team.”

Early goals in the last two matches: “We can’t make those mistakes because their childish. They can happen, though, as it happened in the last two matches. We must correct them. If we are focused from the very beginning, as we have done many times, we are a team able to beat any rival. We can’t change what’s in the past. These things happen, it’s football and we should learn from it. We need to move on and work on our mistakes so we can be focused from the beginning.”

Do you have the feeling that when rivals defend the right wing the attack of the team becomes predictable?: “No, we have many other attacking options and not only in the right wing. We have to work so we have more options and we have enough team to do it. It’s obvious that because of my long career the rivals know me well, but I don’t play only on the right. It’s where I feel more comfortable but sometimes I have to move around. The team needs to find more options and ways to surprise the rival.”

Dani Ceballos: “It’s a manager decision if he plays or not. He will decide when he has to play and be important for the team. He has many skills and it would be a mistake, from our side and from the press’ side, to put a weight on his shoulders. He’s very young and a long career in front of him. He needs time and a calm environment because he’s a great player. Pepe Mel will know how to treat him and, step by step, he’ll feel more comfortable. Let’s hope he will be in Betis for many years and he can enjoy and make us enjoy. He’s a different player.”

What do you think of the kick that Valentino Rossi gave to Marc Márquez?: “Red card (laughter). At that level, two legends going 150 miles per hour… To be honest, I’ve never seen a motorcycling race in my whole life, I’m not going to lie (laughter). I saw the kick in a picture. I prefer tennis (laughter).”

Adán explained that he has been wearing Adidas for “over ten years.” In that sense, the keeper stated that he likes “to be with the best and, logically, Adidas is among them. Regarding products for goalkeepers, they make one of the best gloves in the market. It’s great to be able to enjoy it.”

How is your diet to perform at that level?: “The nutritionist make us starve (laughter). We don’t eat much so we can be quick.”

Match against Athletic Club: “We fear no one. We can’t be scared in our stadium against any rival, but treating them with the respect everyone deserves. It’s a great team that comes in a positive streak, specially when they play at home. We are both in the same position in the table and it will tough, but we need to take a step forward, make up the mistakes of the previous matches and get the three points. Our fans deserve a victory at home.”

Do you want to stay in Real Betis for many years?: “I’ve always said it since I arrived. My desire is to stay here for a long time. Letting the rumours aside, my agent and the Club know that I want to continue. After leaving Real Madrid CF I wanted to find stability, a place to enjoy football again and I found it here. It’s a great Club and I have the opportunity to play every Sunday, improve and grow. My only goal this year is to help the team achieve its goals.”

Do you expect the call of the national team?: “I have to think about working day after day. It’s true that I can be happy for how the year is going but the national team is, as today, a difficult challenge. If we, as a team, continue to make things right we’ll get far, but we have played just seven matches. I’m focused on getting better every match and help the team to achieve its goal. The individual achievements come afterwards.”

On his part,Portillo explained that the match against Athletic Club on Sunday is “a great chance to get to upper half of the table and make it up from the last match.”

What do you need to change when playing at home?: “The main thing is to not concede a goal so early as it happened in the previous match. It’s a heavy burden. We need to check our mistakes, analyse why they are happening and try to amend them. It’s a must because Real Betis has enough team to do it. That’s our target: to be the team in charge in every match and not letting the rival play.”

In which position do you feel more comfortable?: “In any of them, it doesn’t matter if it’s on the left, right or in the middle. I feel comfortable in every attacking position.”