Despite the advantage obtained in the first leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium (0-2), the Betis players are aware that there is still half of the job to do yet in the European tie against Sevilla FC, hence the determination to remove any sign of relaxation. The plot, Calderón proclaimed last Thursday remains in the mouths of the players. For there is no other thought than that of winning again to validate their progression to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. That is why Jordi Figueras, in his appearance before members of the press, centred his discourse on the ambition with which Betis will step out on their home turf on Thursday, a match they shall try to win in order to confirm the superb result obtained in the Nervión ground.

How do you feel about the tie after the first leg?: "We got the advantage in the first leg and we must be smart to play out the game. The tie is open. The first leg result for us was fantastic not conceding a goal and scoring two away is amazing. But we will not be fools thinking we can relax because the advantage. We must approach the game as if it were a single match knockout round, as if the first leg had been 0-0. Not only do we want to progress, but we also hope to win the second leg. That's what we are setting out to do”.

Are Betis now the favourites?: "We want to win and progress. At the start of the round everyone assumed that Sevilla were the favourites. Adán made several saves that gave us life but the rest of the team did a great job".

Sevilla FC's motivational video: “I think it is only natural that everyone uses the weapons the have available to them. We are preparing for the match in our own way".

Cristóforo's injury at Sevilla FC:  “I would like to send Cristóforo my best regards. I hope he recovers soon, it's a bad injury".

Will Leo Baptistao play?: “He has been taking things easy today. We do not know if he will make it to the match. Everyone wants to play these matches that are so special. Do not know how he will evolve, but he will certainly be at the Stadium".

Improvement in the team: "It all started after the victory against Espanyol, where we played well. There we realized that the team could do it. Today we continue to believe that we can. The situation is complicated, but we are 100% committed to the thought that we do it. There are many matches coming up against direct rivals. The day of the Athletic Club match was also a turning point. We lost 0-2 but we stood our ground and even with nine players we gave the sensation of being a solid team. I can not say why, but we are playing some very good games, like Villarreal or Kazan. The draw at El Madrigal gave us strength to keep believing in ourselves".

Individual growth in some of the players: "The coach is partly to blame. When he arrived he found the team's morale at an all time low. He built that up. He insisted on us getting our happiness back and and improving the morale of the team. The competitiveness is still intense. On an individual level, in the end when a team does well everyone stands out more than when it doesn't. Before things weren't working out for anyone. Some days we blamed some players and on other days someone else. It is unfair to blame a player for the bad run of a team. Everyone has faults. I accept mine. The confidence the team now has makes the each player's individual moments even better".

Plan for Thursday: "We must be clear that we can not go crazy, going on the attack and leaving spaces. They are very good on the counterattack. We should be calm. They are ones who have to take a gamble and go for the game. We also have rapid players who can do damage up front. The team has been pushed around from pillar to post apart from the matches, but in games like this that is all forgotten".

Motivational message for the fans: "I've been here 8 months and everyone has been telling me about the derbies. We cannot ask the Betis fans for any motivation. They already do in the training sessions and when they see us in the street. We are 120% motivated, and I am sure they are even more so".

What surprised you most about the derby?: "The thing that struck me was the pre-match atmosphere. People coming to watch the training sessions are there to encourage us and give us their affection in the build-up to such an important game. The other day was spectacular because of the victory and the atmosphere".

Will the team goes go out to defend?: "I have not said we're going to hold back. It would be a mistake to defend for the whole 90 minutes. They have to take risks and we will be waiting for them, knowing that we have quality players to get possession for the ball and speedy players up front. That's where we can catch them out”.

If Sevilla FC does not progress and the team is relegated to the Second Diviesion; How would you evaluate the season?: “It would be a complete disaster, there is no other name for it. It is the income from the national league that feeds this club, so staying in the First Division is fundamental. It would be nice for all the Betis fans to beat Sevilla FC, but our intention is to fight to the last to avoid relegation. Tomorrow we are playing the second leg and we have to eliminate Sevilla FC. From there, we'll see what happens in the UEFA Europa League".

Possible penalty at Elche in the last play of the match: “As soon as I came off the pitch I was asked about that. There may have been some contact, but on the field of play it did not seem as much as it did on television, where you can see that he made contact. If he had given a penalty, he could not have protested much. In the Athletic and Villarreal matches they took a lot away from us. The penalty on Perquis in the first half should have been awarded”.

They won 0-2 and it seems the result is positive for Sevilla FC: “From what I understand from what is being said and read, it would seem that it was a good result for both teams. We have the advantage that everyone was hoping for. We have to go out and play our game and be calm. We must feel the support and wait for the opportunity to counterattack. I think that will be the key”.