Pepe Mel spoke before the media in the press room at Luis del Sol Training Centre in the week that could mean the mathematical return of Real Betis to La Liga. The manager gave his point of view on the match on Thursday against Real Racing Club. The Green-and-White Club could obtain promotion if they win and Girona FC loses its match against Deportivo Alavés.

Chances of promotion either on Thursday or Sunday: “The fact that we have that possibility is important. A few months ago it looked very difficult that we could be where we are. We should focus on our match tomorrow. We can’t control what happens today. Tomorrow depends on us.”

Player rotation in the upcoming fixtures: “It’s not just about one week. There are no rotations; we just think that some guys could be fitter than others. We think that we have a very balanced team; it’s not going to affect our performance. It’s a crucial match for us so we are not going to change everything. The team that has been playing regularly, apart from the absence of N’Diaye, is going to be there tomorrow.”

The match between Deportivo Alavés and Girona FC: “It doesn’t depend on us. If it was a match Girona FC vs Real Betis, yes. But Girona is playing in Vitoria, Betis won’t be there. What can we do about it? It doesn’t depend on us what happens there. But the match against Real Racing Club is our responsibility. It’s something we can handle, and that’s what we have been doing normally.”

Real Racing Club is fighting to not get relegated: “They have a lot at stake. It’s a prestigious Club in a complicated situation both at sport and institutional level. We are going to respect them, and we know that playing at our 100 % is showing respect. Since I’m here, Real Betis does it all the time, sometimes better, sometimes worse. We have to go out for the victory.”

Promotion celebrations: “I have nothing to say, my view is that we have to beat Real Racing Club.”

Are you going to change your tactics depending on what Girona would do today?: “That would be unprofessional. We must win whatever happens in other matches. Betis can’t do anything about other matches; we are just playing in Santander. We prepared the match thinking only about Real Racing Club and knowing that we have to play again on Sunday.”

The team plays better in the second halves of the matches: “A football match is 94 or 95 minutes long. I don’t know a team capable of winning matches in the first half hour. There are a lot of factors that have an impact on the game that the managers can’t control, even factors like the weather. What matters is that at the final whistle Betis has won. I can see the anxiety for Betis to be winning after 20 minutes. What matters is the final score. We have a lot of choices and we work our matches. We have to be consistent in many aspects of the game. The Second Division is very long; all the teams have their moments. In the last 2 or 3 months we have been in a good dynamic and I’m certain it’s going to continue that way.”

Is there anxiety in the Club to achieve the goal?: “You are speaking with the manager of the team. I play my part on what depends on me, on my job with the players. They’re doing really well. That concerns me directly. Everyone in the Club wants Betis to be in First Division. It’s what everyone wants, so we are calm.”

The statements in the press room are magnified: “We have to bear in mind that this sport is huge in Spain, even more than the political elections coming up. Not everybody has a political party but everybody has a football team. Among all the things that happen in the country, football is one of the most important. I don’t know if it’s a good or a bad thing.  When you work in football you know you are a public personality and you represent a lot of people. We have to live with that. The only thing I can say is that Betis is in a great situation to be again among the best, and that’s what we all want.”

Is RCD Mallorca player Marco Asensio an option for next year?: “I have nothing to say. He is not going to play in Santander so I can’t talk.”

Dani Ceballos: “He has trained normally; he is going to get better resting. Unfortunately, we can’t leave him out and, besides, he wants to play. That’s good. He will get to the end of the season with is ankle not being at 100%. We are not going to save anything for later, it’s a crucial moment. N’Diaye is already out and Ceballos has to participate.”

Betis fans in Santander: “I can’t say anything to Betis fans. I have to tell the players to think about those who travel so far away to see their team. Many of them have to work the day after, it’s impressive. At the final whistle, whatever the score is, people need to feel that team gave everything out.”

Molinero and Xavi Torres: “My first match was in January and they have been basic since then. There are a lot of players that have helped a lot, too. Overall, since I arrived, Molinero and Xavi Torres have played a lot.”