With the sole objective of beating FC Barcelona B and burying the memories of Pamplona, Julio Velázquez gave a press conference. The Real Betis Balompié manager recognised the errors that lead to defeat against CA Osasuna, but insisted on the need to focus all their attention on the forthcoming tie with FC Barcelona B; a match in which the team will have to continue doing the good things that have been doing in the last few matches, especially repeat their performance in the first half of the match at El Sadar, in order to win on Saturday.

Xavi Torres back on the list: “I am really pleased with him. It is symptomatic that he has been included in the match list. Obviously, he is not 100% yet, but if he has been listed it is because we if need him for some minutes of the match he will be available. His intelligence, savoir-faire and superior ability in his position could be a big help to us. He is one of the captains and we think it is important for him to be on the match list. If we feel it is necessary to field him at some stage in the match, he will be able to play”.

N’Diaye said that on Saturday he will prove that he is back on top form: “I hope so, that's what we all want. Training is one thing, competing is something else. Alfred has made a great sacrifice, he has trained on his days off to get back on form as quickly as possible. We have already spoken about the fact that his unusual preseason prevented him from being in good form. If he is on top form, it will be better for the team and he will help us to win and increase his involvement. From what we have seen this week we would conclude that since he has been back with the team it is the best he has been. Everyone is hoping that he has a formidable match so that we can all feel proud of him”.

How is the team after what happened in Pamplona?: “As the week went by we have all improved on an emotional level. It was a severe blow after a first half in which we deserved a greater advantage on the scoreboard. It was a bitter pill to swallow. As the sessions went by the team's morale has got back to normal. We are now ready for the match in all aspects, we are sure we are going to play a good match and win”.

If we only analyse our first half performances, Betis would be in a position for direct promotion: “But matches last 90 minutes. We have to analyse every match. The match against RC Recreativo de Huelva was nothing like the one against CA Osasuna. Each match is a different story. We have to analyse the processes and the evolution of the teams. Often we analyse cause-effect to ensure we get things right more than other things. Our thoughts are focused on a different kind of match, on being a team with balance both in defence and attack. At the end of the day the conclusions that can be drawn from the data depends on how it is analysed, but I am not tempted to select the data which will give me a determined analysis of the group or development of playing style. In every match there have been good and bad things. We are trying to be serious and competitive. FC Barcelona B is a team with potential, they have some interesting virtues but they also have weaknesses. If we can transfer all the good things we have done and apply them to tomorrow's match, we will be able to win. We want to be true to that and enjoy ourselves when we have possession of the ball”.

The role of the fans in tomorrow's match: “I am really pleased with my squad. The fans deserve all the respect in the world. We empathise with them and understand that they are disappointed with what happened in Pamplona. I am sure that the fans will come to the match tomorrow hoping that their team will win, supporting them throughout the 90 minutes. That will help the team to perform better, but understand the anger that the fans may feel. If the fans encourage the players to give more of themselves, it will help the team to be calmer and more stable and ultimately to win. We know we are the ones who have to prove something to the team so that there can be that synergy throughout the match”.

Do you think that tomorrow's match represents an ultimatum?: “I think we have had a very good week in terms of training and preparing the team well, so that tomorrow they can play well and win. Those are the things I worry about”.

Support from the Club: “I worry about the things I am in control of. My feelings are affected by the personal relationship I have with those around me, with the group I work with and the board members. I have felt that support since I got here, there is no doubt on that front. Once we got back on an even keel it has been a normal week preparing for the match. Beyond that there is no use in worrying about anything else. The team is totally psyched about tomorrows match, and that is important. I am sure the players are going to put their lives on the line on the field of play to win the match and gain ever more confidence as a group”.

Why was there such a big difference between the performance in the first half and the second?: “Because it is football, because we are human, because they score in the third minute of the second half, because you are playing an away match and the fans put the pressure on. There are multiple causes. These are situations we could talk about for hours. The first half against CA Osasuna was very positive, there was great harmony and our offensive plays were organised. In the second half everything was the other way around, we were unlucky in a number of specific plays in terms of getting back into the game. It was nonsensical, that's all, now all that is over and we have to focus on Barça B”.

Is it more comfortable for Betis to play against rivals like FC Barcelona B?: “Betis play well when they feel comfortable, when they are able to connect. They are growing in that respect. In the run of play and having a good time on the pitch, we are improving. That is what we have to focus on and what we should highlight in order to keep growing and gain greater stability in all aspects. The good things we have done in the last few matches make me feel optimistic. We must be more constant, of course. The squad and the coaching staff have got that into their heads. The best thing is to do what we did in the first half at Pamplona for the whole 90 minutes. That is going to be difficult in a lot of matches, but we have to try to make what happens on the pitch is what we want to happen based on connection within the team and permanent creativity. We should be more in control. If I look to the positive things that have happened in the last few matches I find reason to be optimistic”.