Real Betis Balompié manager spoke for Betis TV after the match against RCD Espanyol (1-1). In spite of the victory of the team from Barcelona in the penalty shoot-out, Mel was satisfied with the match played by his men. Probably, the best one so far during the preseason.

Match analysis: “We got a draw against a team that is performing very well in the preseason. I think we have controlled the match for many minutes. Overall, we have done things in the right way; we have been better than them and many aspects of the game. In the end, losing in the penalty shoot-out is just anecdotic. What mattered were the 90 regular minutes. The team is improving.”

Good performance of the new players: “We said it in the beginning: this is a process, we need to get to know each other. Pezzella today was completely different to the player we saw in Coria, and the rest as well. Petros is feeling more comfortable in the position he is playing now, and Digard is getting fitter, is the only thing he needs. Step by step we are getting better. Let’s see if we get to our 100 % by the 23^rd of August.”

Was the best match of the preseason?: “Now we need to try to connect these positive things and make them continue. We make good 20 minutes, then we lose control for other 10 minutes and then we regain control again. It’s within the normal, that’s what preseasons are for. We could have won. The team has been focused and was the main character on the pitch. I can’t ask for much more from them right now.”

Ramón de Carranza Trophy: “We are not going to win the tournament. Our target is to beat Villarreal CF in the first match of the season. So we need to improve.”