The new Real Betis manager, Julio Velázquez, has given his valuation of the first ten days of the preseason during which the daily work schedule was completed with three friendly matches at San Pedro del Pinatar, against Brighton, Cartagena and Elche.

For the moment the results take second place and the manager is focussing on other aspects. In general terms it would seem that it has all gone magnificently: “I am very happy, overall I think it has gone tremendously well. We are still in the construction stage both in terms of the style of play and the dynamic of the group. We are doing some quality work and all the players are responding. What we are building is looking very, very good” , summarised the manager.

Velázquez admits that, logically, there are aspects that still need adjusting but it is early days yet to draw definitive conclusions. In Murcia different alternatives have been tried (4-4-2 in the first two matches and 4-2-3-1 in the third) and the team was changed in each half. To find the core team you want to try things out:  “That is what the preseason is about, to mix things up. What is more, with Lolo's injury we have more adjusting to be done in this area until he is fit enough to start training. Throughout this initial phase of the preseason we are trying out different formations and mixes”.

Independently to the formation, the manager has a clear idea of what he wants to be the hallmark by which he wants his team to be recognised: "The idea is that with possession of the ball we will be able to make different combinations, precise passing and find open areas… And when we don't have the ball the objective is for the players to be able to interpret, for them to be able to work out when they have put the pressure on and when to drop back. We want them to be a compact team with very little space between the lines. We aim to have a team that is very lively in their opponents half, with aggression. At the moment we are working on the team knowing exactly what action plan to follow depending on their opponent and the run of the match”.

Julio Velázquez also gave his opinion on many other issues.

Planing: “I am very pleased with the team on all levels, as people, with their football and their attitude. But there are still some players that have to leave and others to be brought in. The squad at the moment is not exactly the one that will start the league. There are going to be departures and arrivals”.

The case of Nosa and the option of bringing in another midfielder. “My opinion, and that of the technical secretary, is absolutely clear. He is a good footballer and possesses some really interesting qualities. I told Nosa that, if he wanted to stay I was counting on him, but the truth is he wanted to leave and so the decision was made. He was a player that worked well in certain positions. With the players we have up front we should start by lending some weight to the midfield. That is where we are being held back by Lolo's injury and we have to make some adjustments. The front part can be covered by Nono, Matilla or Sergio, whilst we can decide if we should bring anyone else in”.

Rubén Castro: “He is totally committed and should stay at Betis. He is going to bring a lot to the team. He deserves my respect as much as any of the other forwards but beyond that I would only give it a 0.0001% possibility of him leaving the team”.

Jorge Molina: “He is going to stay, there is no other option. He cannot leave, he is an important player both in the changing room and on the pitch”.

Álvaro Vadillo: “He has his qualities and it is up to us to provide the right framework for him to be a better player so the team can benefit from his abilities. He wants it and he has a great attitude. I am very much on top of him, it would be a shame if he wasn't with the team… If I am on top of a player it is because I believe in him”.

Sergio Rodríguez: “He is working really well, for the moment he is working well. In the end we will have to consider what is best for the group”.

Antonio Adán: “Our commitment with him is absolute. It is a complex time for football and if a team comes along which is prepared to pay the release fee it makes it difficult to defend financially. Furthermore, Adán is happy and settled at Betis”.

Xavi Torres: “He is a good footballer, a team player, implicated with the team. He had a complex injury and a challenging recovery but we are happy with the way he is building up on his workload. Basically, he should be an important player in the team. He is progressing very well so he should be back on form for the beginning of the season”.

Dani Pacheco: “He is a great lad, committed and with the right attitude, and from a footballing point of view he is progressing well. I think he is going to give us some solutions, whether he is a starter or comes on as a substitute. He is a player that offers versatility, good at set plays, mid-distance shots, connects well and can play on both wings or in the centre”.

Chuli: “We are counting on him staying with the team we are not considering letting him go on loan or being transferred. He can play on either wing or up front, but he always performed best on the right wing at Recreativo last season and when he signed with Betis”.

First Division players in the Second Division: “At the moment we are playing in the Second Division so we are all Second Division people. In terms of potential and ability that is something else, but we are playing in the Second Division. We have to be prepared to work hard because we are going to have to play at some really difficult grounds, and we have to make sacrifices. I don't feel any more pressure because I have these players, but there is responsibility and commitment to the Club. This is going to be a long distance race, if we think that it is all going to be resolved after 20 matches, will only lead us to failure. In this category either you keep your nose to the grindstone right from the outset or there is nothing to be done. For better or for worse this category represents a very even field, the slightest detail can work for you or against you. Other than that, we have the quality in the final metres and on the goal line but we have to find harmony in the midfield”.