Jagoba Arrasate was on pre-match media duties ahead of our hosting Real Betis this weekend. Findout what the boss had to say below:
On absentees: Valery is a last-minute absence. Martin has been able to train yesterday and today but we have doubts until the last moment talking with the doctor if it is too soon for him to play or not. Then we also have the absences of Manu Morlanes and “Pichu” Cuellar, injured and suspended respectively.
On last month: The week has been tough, as it can't be otherwise. As the days go by, you are looking forward to what lies ahead, although it has been a time for self-criticism. Above all, we are looking forward to tomorrow's game and being able to play again with our people. We need to recover our essence, to be brave and with clear ideas. Tomorrow we have the opportunity.
On the calendar: It is true that our calendar is busy. Most of the top teams have played at Son Moix and now we will have to play against them away from home. It is true that at home we are going to play for our future and tomorrow is the first opportunity. I understand that the fans are unhappy, but I remember the last match against Girona, which was a party and I hope to recover that essence.
On Betis: I don't trust the missing players beyond the fact that they are important players. Without going any further we saw how they won in Villarreal with one player less, that indicates a little bit the level they have. It will be a recognisable starting XI and we know what team Betis is. They are not at their best, but neither are we.
On attack: We will try to improve, but everything is based on making the goals we score happen. All the games we have won have been by the minimum. That indicates the difficulty we have to win games. We will try to improve that and what we need is more balance and more solidity.
On protests: We played on the 9th there and we are still talking. I understand that it is the first match we are going to play at home and it is the way the fans have to show their support. We have to respect the fans or the signs they may take. We have to focus on what we do.
On Robert Navarro: I don't like to individualise players but I think that in these last three matches everyone has played. Neither the players nor the coach have been at the same level. Robert is very important for us, I expect a lot from him and I am convinced that he will be very important in the second half of the season.
On changes: The other day we made four changes at halftime because Maffeo had problems during the week due to a blow, and the other three, two had a card and the other was suspended. The changes were made with tomorrow's match in mind. No one should be singled out because the first to be singled out is me and then all those who played. Adding players to the cause is important.
On the market: There is still a week left and there can always be news because the market is sometimes uncontrollable. Even so, I don't expect big news or additions. I am happy with what we have.
On Samu Costa: He has a lot of energy, he doesn't like to stand still and sometimes he moves too much. That generates some mismatches and with this I'm not saying anything we don't all know. It's in his DNA, we all have to sort it out and he has to find his best version. I hope it will be soon because he is a player we need.