The Real Betis Balompié manager appeared before members of the press after the match against Almería in the press room of the Benito Villamarín Stadium. Visibly dismayed by the defeat, Garrido felt the good performance tonight, whilst not translating into points for the league table, did offer a ray of hope for the forthcoming matches in the national competition.

Farewell at the end of the match: “We wanted to be with our fans. We were just as upset as any Betis fan. We wanted to be out there to share that moment with them. The team has become stronger because they felt the support of the crowd. We wanted to face up to them”.

What is your explanation for the defeat?: “It is hard to explain. We did everything to have won, we played well and created scoring opportunities. We were able to recover from the slap in the face the first goal represented and were intent on winning the match. We had numerous scoring opportunities and had we scored it would have changed the match completely. It would have been deserved”.

The second half of the season: “In terms of points obviously we need the time the second half of the league gives us to get a lot of points, we need it to be extraordinary. From what we have seen in the team today we can deduce that if we keep playing like that we will get those points”.

Signings: “It is known that the Club is working on reinforcing the team. Every effort will be made to improve the team. I cannot talk about names or positions. I have to talk with those running the Club to evaluate the options available in the winter market. We have to see what we have for signings and who is available in the market. From today the Club is going to work in earnest on signing new players to improve the team”.

Do you think Betis degraded themselves in their farewell at the stadium?: “I was in Belgium and that is what they do there after every match, win or lose. In situations like this it is hard to do but I think it is for the best. In the end it unites you with the fans. In my opinion anything that improves the unity between the fans and the team is a good thing. We played a good match and the fans supported the team with enthusiasm”.

Lack of good fortune: “Luck comes through work. When you put in the work eventually you get lucky. I think that is a valid explanation of the luck factor. We have to work hard so that luck will be on our side. When we find our optimal level of performance, which can only be done through hard work, luck will run in our favour”.

Number of signings: “It seems to me that both the Club and the fans are eager to get a boost of morale and energy. In football that usually comes with new signings. I am not asking for anything specific just to see what is available on the market, eager players who are willing to give it their all. That could be in diverse positions. Rather than analysing our situation we have to see what the market has to offer. We shall reflect on that based on the impressions I have from the last few weeks. We will try to reinforce the team”.

Calculating the possibilities of salvation: “With the points we have now salvation is going to be harder than it was a week ago. I want to see the team improve in many areas. When we see those improvements we will win matches and redress the lack of points. We need to get 30 points from now until the end of the league, that is three times the points we have got to date. That is our objective. The calculation works out at ten victories. Playing matches like we did today we will win many more. There may be accidents along the way but today the team deserved to take home the three points. I have told them all that when they get back from holiday on 28th that they do so prepared to work 100% We will get lucky when throughout the week we put in the work necessary for us to get lucky. That's what the team wants and they proved it today”.

Why did Verdú not play?: “Our strategy was to create danger on the wings, that is why I didn't field players like Salva Sevilla or Nono. When I noticed Lolo Reyes' exhaustion I wanted a player like Nono to go on to give the team more balance. All the players deserve equal respect from me”.