Pellegrini: Mourinho said we played for a draw? We wanted to win from the start

Pellegrini said it is difficult for Betis to suffer two setbacks in a row and that the team quickly gets back on its feet after a defeat.

Pellegrini was very satisfied with Betis' victory over Real Madrid at La Cartuja Stadium tonight. The Chilean coach maintained a defensive system with two holding midfielders and changed the match through substitutions. Second-half substitutes Deossa and Parrott combined to create the goal, helping Betis take three points from Mourinho's team.

Mourinho believed Betis were aiming for a draw. Pellegrini responded: “I do not see it that way, because I think the team wanted to win from the first minute, wanted to attack the goal against an opponent like Real Madrid, and of course that is difficult. Overall, in the first half both teams had periods where they were on top, and we had a very clear scoring chance, while they also had several. In the second half I thought we had more possession overall and spent more time in their half. They created several very dangerous attacks from set pieces, and Alvaro Valles made three very, very excellent saves, but in the end we scored and left this intense match against a strong opponent with three points. If it had ended in a draw, that result might also have been fair. So in that sense, football is often like this: we took our chances and they did not.”

Speaking about the message he gave the team after losing to Levante, Pellegrini said: “It is the same message I have always delivered during my seven years at Betis: football gives you only 24 hours; after a win you have 24 hours to enjoy it, and after a defeat you have 24 hours to deal with it. There are many specific details in matches, just as happened against Levante. Things happen step by step. You have to understand them, review them, and carry out proper self-criticism after both wins and defeats. Then after 24 hours you must reaffirm what you are doing and fight for the next victory, which is what we did today.”

Regarding the team's reaction after poor results, Pellegrini said: “It is difficult to say whether I knew it would happen in advance, but I was very certain they would respond this way because I have watched them for seven years. The players understand the mentality we want to instill: do not get carried away after winning, and do not destroy yourself after losing. You must learn to analyze and understand that a match is often changed by two or three key details. The score can change, but your belief in what you do on the pitch cannot. Individual demands do not change, and the team's ambition must remain consistent through setbacks every season. Sometimes results are positive and sometimes negative, but I think this team has proven many times that it is difficult for them to suffer two setbacks in a row; even if they do, they get back up. Because of that, they have maintained a fairly stable performance throughout the season.”

On the impact of substitutions, Pellegrini said: “You can judge whether a substitution was good or not based on the player's performance after coming on. Individual performances always determine whether a substitution is effective. I think in the second half we had as much possession as them. Their most dangerous chances basically came from set pieces. Yes, the temperature was 36 degrees at the time, and the physical demands naturally showed, so I think the adjustments at halftime were very good, and Anthony's adjustment was as well. But I want to repeat: substitutions are made based on what you see, and after they are carried out, you judge whether they were good or bad according to the players' performances. Fortunately today, I think all the substitutes were very committed to what we are doing, and we won the match.”

Facing Real Madrid's strong set-piece threat, Pellegrini said: “I agree with your view, Real Madrid are indeed very strong in aerial duels. I think we need to review the match; I cannot be 100% certain, but Alvaro Valles' two or three best saves came after set pieces. Our goal also came from a set piece, so these are key details influenced by many factors, but without doubt physical battles and physical advantages are very important factors.”

On Parrott's first goal, Pellegrini said: “I am very happy for Troy Parrott. Coming to a club and entering a different football environment... He had already received some playing time in previous matches; away against Levante, he had a chance that could have changed the score but did not take it. Today he did not score through luck, but through instinct, finishing after Nelson Deossa's header. I am also very happy for Deossa, a player who has faced many questions. Starting a new experience at a new club and in a new football environment, and beginning it by scoring the winning goal against Real Madrid, will give him a lot of confidence. He is also a player who works very hard and has great strength. I think with Cucho they can form a good partnership, whether they play together or are used separately.”

On Diego Llorente's physical condition, Pellegrini said: “Diego Llorente fractured the bridge of his nose after being hit, so we will have to see the exact situation and how long it takes before he can return to the pitch.”

Regarding Mourinho's complaints about discipline, Pellegrini said: “I do not think we played that aggressively. Both teams were competing for possession. I also do not think the referee's influence was significant. Whether there was one more yellow card or one fewer yellow card, I do not think that would have decided the result. We did not win because of the referee; we won because we took one chance and they failed to turn their opportunities into goals, whether they were denied by Alvaro Valles or missed their penalty. That is how football results are decided, with some details determining victory or defeat, but I do not think the referee was the reason.”

On Parrott's adaptation, Pellegrini said: “I think he will become a very important striker for our team. Given the way he plays, his style will be very useful. We know that in Ireland and England, the number 9, the goalscorer for every team, must be strong and compete for every ball, and he has done that very well in his first two weeks working with us.”

On Parrott's role this season, Pellegrini said: “He has only just started this season. As I said, we hope he becomes a very important player for us. We need to compete in three competitions, and he can also play together with Cucho...”

On Facundo Bernal's performance, Pellegrini said: “Facundo Bernal is a player we have been following, a young player, and I think he has many qualities for this position. Perhaps he still needs to adapt better to European football. I think he could still clearly feel the intensity of the match between the 60th and 70th minutes. In addition, he had already played part of the season, but I think he will become very important in this role. As long as he integrates better into the team's play, he can bring us even more.”

On his message to the fans, Pellegrini said: “This is the same message I have delivered over the past seven years, because the fans' reaction is exactly the same in every match. I repeat what I have always said: for players, after 24 hours following a setback or a victory, they must learn to move on or learn to enjoy it, and then start a new match. I think the fans also suffer when results do not meet expectations, but they always respond immediately in the next match. So seeing so many people here, not only home supporters but also Betis fans supporting the team when we play away outside Seville, makes me very happy for them. Being able to give them this satisfaction is undoubtedly also an important part of this team.”