Javier Aguirre spoke to the media ahead of our trip to Real Betis on Saturday afternoon.
The boss gave his thoughts on what sort of challenge this weekend’s hosts will give us, his thoughts on the Copa del Rey win at CD Boiro and an update on the team.
Return trip: It was an odyssey. The weather prevented us from doing at least one training session yesterday. We looked for formulas like trying to train in Galicia, in Madrid and here… but there was no formula to fit in a training session. The players are tired, but that is no excuse. We have a large squad. We recovered Dani Rodríguez, Sergi Darder, Antonio Raíllo, Pablo Maffeo and that's the good news so we can rotate.
It's an important problem [the return trip] because today, on top of that, we had a tough game and it cost us a lot, but these are things you can't control. We've had enough good weather so far to complain. I won't use it as an excuse, but yesterday's session and today's session were a little bit spoiled.
On the pressure: It's always there. You put it on yourself. We have to win and we've known that since matchday one and we haven't been able to because we haven't been effective in both areas. It is true that we have had a growth in volume of play, but it has not translated into results. All professionals in this business have an added pressure because our work is public and because we are results-oriented.
On vailability of Darder and Raíllo: Darder and Raíllo are ready for 90 minutes. Dani Rodríguez is more difficult for me, but he can start the match. The players also have feelings and if one of them has a good game, he might be encouraged to finish the match. What we don't want are relapses.
On Betis: They play very good football, they have a good distribution, players with a lot of quality, they prioritise offensive play... going to their place is always complicated. Anyone suffers there and it won't be easy. We have to be at an optimum level of concentration. After Girona, we have been playing with a high level of concentration and in a very serious way. I can't demand more from the team. Maybe only that they score goals.
On Cyle Larin: I feel that Larin's goal has freed him up. He's fine, he's strong.... he is already the Larin we expect.
On a possible derby against Andratx in Copa del Rey: We would love it. It would be fantastic and a good party for Andratx.