Jagoba Arrasate was on pre-match media duties as he spoke to journalists at a press conference ahead of our trip to Real Valladolid. Find out what the boss had to say below:
On preparation: It's not easy to prepare for it after playing on a Monday, but it's also true that we've had one more day to prepare for the game than our opponents. If we won the other day at the Villamarín it's because we respected our opponents and we knew we had to play an almost perfect game to win. The problem comes now if you think you're going to win tomorrow. They're a team whose dynamic isn't the best, that is true, but at home they haven't lost, they haven't conceded a goal, they're strong in front of their own fans and we'll need to play a great game again to win and get that third consecutive victory.
On his style: As you say, ‘it seems’ that they have assimilated it. They're not certainties yet, but yes, especially the last one we've seen, I like it. There were some good things against Villarreal too, although we lost because we made mistakes, but in the last two, against big rivals, the team has shown what we want: to be brave and to be protagonists. We've been lucky enough to win both of them and that gives you confidence. I've already said that this is a process and with time we'll get better. It's true that I liked the last two games, but they are not certainties and we have to keep proving them.
On absentees: We have five absentees: Van Der Heyden, Martin Valjent, Javi Llabres, Asano and Muriqi, and that's why we have called up Sebastian Wade. We only have two specific central defenders and as we are playing Friday and the reserve team on Sunday, he can come with us and play with the reserve team on Sunday. Martin already had some discomfort the other day and couldn't finish the game. It doesn't look like much, but he won't make it for this game, we'll see if he can make it for the next one. Asano is the same. I think Llabrés too. He's already doing things on the pitch and we'll see. Muriqi is going to be more complicated and Siebe too.
On aiming for more: I think it's too soon. The viability of the club depends on staying in LaLiga and that is the first and most important objective. After that, we can't think every matchday about staying in the top flight or getting 38 points. We have to try to improve every game and I think we have seen an improvement in these two games, so let's see if we are capable of winning. The more games we win, the higher we'll be in the standings and the sooner we'll reach that objective, and from there, we could think about other things, but I think it's too early to change the discourse.
On Samu: He started as a right-sided midfielder and then moved to the double pivot with more freedom to play. That's where we're seeing the best Samu for pressing and with the ball he also has that freedom to make changes of direction, to filter passes and he's a finisher. That's what we want from Samu, who despite having been in professional football for a long time, I think he's a very young player with a lot of room for improvement. I think he's the first one who is doing well, with confidence, and what we have to do is give him support and help him to exploit all the virtues he has.
On Muriqi: Last week all the questions were about Muriqi and it is important that we take away the burden of being able to win without the important players. He was missing, Takuma Asano was missing, others were missing. Hopefully they'll be here soon, because we're going to need all of them. That's not to say we don't need certain players. Muriqi had some problems, he asked for a change at half-time in the national team match, he trained well, he played against Villarreal, and he played the whole match, so there was no problem there. But of course, when there are so many trips, so many games, these things appear later. It was a small tear in an old scar he had. After that, I'm not an expert to know how it could be related to those games with Kosovo, but you can see how many injuries there are. Now there are other matches during the week. It's not just a question of Mallorca. All the teams are suffering and I think we have to find a solution to all this.
On Mateu Jaume and the right-back: It's true that Mateu has been out for a long time, but he's been training for a while now. Pablo [Maffeo] has also been out, but for less time. He's also available and that's why he was called up the other day. The other day Pablo Maffeo, Mateu Jaume and Valery Fernández were on the bench, and Antonio played, even though he's not specific. You also value other qualities: the pace of competition, the back and forth that Betis, in this case Abde, can put you through, and that's why we opted for Antonio. The logical thing is that with that time a specific player for that position will return.
On Cyle Larin: He had a great game, not only because of the goal. He stretched the opposition a lot, he interpreted what he was playing very well. He can see that there is confidence, both from his teammates and the coaching staff. It's normal for a player with confidence to perform better. He is more comfortable up front, although we have also used him on the wing. Let's hope he has a good season. He returns to Pucela, where he had a good season and has had two games where he had a goal disallowed for very little and the other day he was decisive. That's what we want from Cyle. Let's hope he continues in this manner.
On the matchday calendar: We are not saying it for us, that would be selfish. We say it for the health of the players. With the calendar nothing can be done this year because it is already stipulated. We have to look for solutions for what is to come. One of the solutions is to shorten the national team breaks, not to have one in September, October and November. One or two, even if it has to be longer. We are working on it. It is one of the solutions, knowing that it is complicated. We talk about our own, but the people who play in European competition have two more matchdays, and the Club World Cup doesn't help either.
On players speaking out about the matchday calendar: They are moving. They are the first ones who are pushing and they want to improve the situation. They will make an effort and we will have to listen to them as well.
On Real Valladolid: Beyond the strengths and weaknesses that Valladolid or Primera División teams have, it's up to us. I'm looking forward to seeing the team. You win two games, at the Villamarín, the praise.... I want to see again that the team has personality. The key the other day was that: to think we can do those things and then be able to execute them. Tomorrow we need hunger and energy. If we add tactics to that, we'll be closer to getting a good result.
On expectations: Everyone has it where they have it. We know how difficult the Primera División is. Tomorrow is proof of that. Valladolid deserve all our respect.
On the points: It's always important to get points, especially when we're new here. It's important for the process to gather strength. Confidence and self-esteem, when you're not doing well, it's hard to have in LaLiga. When you're doing well, you have to try to take advantage of that wave and get as many points as possible.
On his Betis pre-match talk: Sometimes necessity is a virtue. You're more attentive, more focused and it was a little bit that way.
