While football is the random sport par excellence, subject to many uncontrollable vicissitudes and prone to cruel whippings, it also gives you a second chance to make amends. These imperfections, which could be what makes the sport so great, saw the apprentice Nono come a cropper a couple of weeks ago. On 20th April he decided to show his bravery by taking a penalty which was to prove to be the end of Betis's UEFA Europa League adventure. This harsh blow rather than destroying the young player from Cadiz has instead allowed him to grow; he seems destined to be a key player in Betis's future. Football, the same sport that denied the number 8 player the luck his tenacity deserved, waits to return it to him next Sunday, the date on which fate crosses Nono, Real Betis and Sevilla FC's paths once more. Nono himself acknowledged, "falling is optional but getting up again is obligatory".

First of all, he was to reveal the team's morale after recent setbacks.
We had the match against Malaga CF under control but we lost it in the end. At Camp Nou it was much the same. We did a good job and we had the scoring opportunities to have come away with more, but it wasn't to be. Because of the atmosphere that there is in the group and the attitude of all the players we are able to save the team.

Even Xavi Hernandez, world champion with the Spanish national team, encouraged us at the end of the match.
He is a role model both as a player and as a person. A player who has won everything there is to win and who stopped to have a word with us in the dressing room was really nice. He gave us a lot of encouragement and told us to keep fighting.

Of all the possible ways you could lose, in the end it's always the cruellest. How was the group at the beginning of the week?
It's complicated. We have ended up losing the points that were almost ours on too many occasions now. I don't know whether it is because of our anxiety or the situation that we are in that we let these points slip through our fingers. It's tough, but for our fans we have to keep fighting until the end of the season.

Injuries, refereeing, hitting the post, missed penalties or goals conceded at the last minutes, it's a script full of wickedness.
There have been many injuries and obstacles on our path which have changed matches. We have been smitten 14 times. It seems that this was the season for it; we can't do any more about the matches in which this has happened to us. We have to keep working. Whilst there are still chances we must work as hard as possible.

The team is at the bottom of the table. Have you done that badly to be last in the league and nine points from salvation?
Our pre-season preparation went swimmingly, playing some great matches. The team should not be in the position it is in now. They have the quality to be further up in the standings, but there have been many atypical factors which have affected the season. We have to accept that.

Having seen the last few matches there is clearly an improvement; it would seem there was a chance of a miracle. Do you have faith in the team?
We have hope. We believe we can play some great matches in the final stages. Mathematically we are not relegated yet but we have to do our utmost to win all the points that are available to us.

And now we have the derby. If we remember the last match that will increase our desire to play well in this match.
A derby is always a nice match. When you lose you always want a rematch. It's only natural and more so in this type of match. Losing was very painful. The chance to progress slipped through our fingers here at home after having gained advantage away. Missing the penalty was traumatic. We hope that the rematch on Sunday will get it out of our system.

Could a victory be that much-needed boost of morale that has been missing for several weeks now?
I hope so. They are the last bullets we have left. Hopefully we'll beat Sevilla FC and regain the confidence that we need to play the last matches in the league.

And obligatory question: Have you forgotten about the penalty you took in the second leg match of the UEFA Europa League?
Forgotten no, but you have to keep going. I shouldn't focus on that penalty but it really got into my head. I was really pissed off at home for a few days but then I got over it. I had the support of my friends and family. Thanks to the reception the fans gave me I have got over it, it was an incredible moment.

Instead of being reproached for the mistake the fans gave you their full support in the next match.
It was spectacular, really nice; I will never forget it. All I can do is say thank you.

You told us that on the very same night your family came over to support you at such a difficult moment.
My mum, my dad, my friends and my flatmate, who is like a sister to me, all came over. They gave me their full support. In the next few days I watched the penalty over and over again thinking maybe I should have taken it this way or that way, but at the end of the day I took it because I felt confident.

Would you do the same again for example this Sunday?
If that is what the Boss decides and I feel confident, I would do it again.

You are also looking good when you're taking free kicks, one of your specialities.
I haven't taken many since I have been in the first team and in the last few years there have always been players who are good at taking them, like Beñat or Salva Sevilla. I'm waiting my turn. Hopefully someday I'll be able to take free kicks and score from them.

So what you're saying is that if on Sunday there is a free kick close to the area you will be the one to take it.
In that case, and if I feel confident, I will ask if I can.

Your rival is playing a UEFA Europa League match tonight. Would you prefer to receive the visit of a tired Sevilla FC after their European efforts?
It is a factor that makes a big difference. A match that goes into extra time causes a lot more exhaustion and there are only a few days before the derby. We hope that Sevilla FC is worn down tonight.

To assess the chances that each team has of winning you could take as a reference point their position in the league table but when it comes to derbies that's not very realistic.
These are very complicated matches. There could be very different factors that are affecting each team but that has no importance when it comes to derby. We hope to come out of the match on top and give our fans something to be happy about.

Who do you need to be especially wary of from Sevilla FC, Rakitic, Gameiro or Bacca?
They are very complete players each one with their own strengths. What we have to do is to work well in defence to contain them and look for their weaknesses when we are on attack. We shall work ourselves into the ground in this match. I expect they would be looking at our strong points too.

This is the fourth derby this year, so you know each other well, It is a factor that could have an effect but so could the weather. Have you anything else to say about the match?
About the game they're playing tonight, I think they will have accumulated fatigue. The weather is not going to have any influence. We train here every day and both teams are used to the heat.

You will have taken note of the mistakes that shouldn't be repeated from the last match...
We have to be very careful not to be distracted in the first few minutes. We have to go all out like we did in the second half of the UEFA Europa League match, we performed well then. I think that's the way we have to go.

You came close to scoring in the last few derbies. You won't deny that you haven't thought about that in terms of Sunday's match.
Hopefully I'll score. I would like to be that lucky, to win and celebrate with the fans who we owe so much to.

Lolo Reyes could miss this duel. In which case it would seem that Nono will be a starter in the midfield.
The Boss is working on a lot of things. And they are trying out a number of players. I hope I'm lucky enough to play this Sunday.

You are talented and have a long career ahead of you. What are your thoughts on your future?
I have been here from a very early age. Betis has given me everything, I'm where I am thanks to Betis. I want to see my contract out and be here for many years to come.

If in the end the team is relegated, you will be one of Betis's cornerstones who will look for promotion once again to the Liga BBVA.
I have gone through all the categories here at Betis. Why shouldn't I play in the second division? If we are relegated to the second division it will be an honour for me to get Betis back into the first division.