Manuel Pellegrini received at the beginning of the party the applause of the public and a gift from the club in recognition for becoming the Verdiblanco coach with more victories throughout its history. At the beginning of the year, more specifically between 11 and 18 of … January, there were many fans and journalists who talked about the “end of the Chilean”. In those eight days, Betis fell to Valladolid and Alavés, and let Barça endors a little hand to get out of the Copa del Rey. Something more than three months later, Betis is before the first European semifinal in its history, has virtually assured its presence in Europe next year and is fifth classified, in “Champions Post.” It is one of the charms of football: in a short time, one can go from villain to hero, from frustration to joy, from doubts to trust.
The Castilians certified their descent: they have only won 4 games, they have tied many others and have lost 25. However, Betis has been precisely one of the few teams that Valladolid has managed to bend. That is another of the charms of football: the game is never won in advance, everything is possible.
Pellegrini wanted to repeat the strategy of the last match against Girona: put pressure from the beginning, mark soon to play with the rival’s anxiety. The Betis soon linked the game, with a goal by Jesús Rodríguez, but the Pucelanos did not throw their towel and tied in a counterattack in the 41st minute.
In the second part, the engineer introduced the Celso by Fornals. He knew that Valladolid would get back and required a man to intensify the circulation of the ball. He also entered Abde, Aitor and Perraud in the 60th minute, with the slogan of increasing the offensive thrust. In the 63rd minute marked Cucho, of formidable auction, to Centro de Bartra. In 65, Isco, to Aitor pass, after a tiralínea play. Perraud shot in 84, after wall with cucho. And Abde signed up for the goals festival in 89: 5-1. The players are the ones who win the games, but the Mr. did their job to create the best conditions to achieve it.
Not too long ago, a Betis footballer – whose name I will omit, so that he does not call him from ‘ball’ – he got rid of praise towards Pellegrini: “All coaches are psychologists and try to motivate the team, but Manuel goes down to the land of each player, observes and knows what key to play at all times and also tells you, has everyone plugged into the world,” he said. It seems easy, but not all coaches are capable of managing 22 egos and who yield when required.
Santi Cazorla – who played at his orders in Villarreal and Malaga (where he coincided with Isco and Joaquín) – told me that Pellegrini gave him the greatest stick of his life. On the first day of the preseason with the Castellonés team, he told him that he was not yet tanned and that he should mature in another team. He did it in the recreational of Huelva, where he could be erected in leader. The following year, he returned to Villarreal and triumphed. “I was very bad, but, over time, I have seen that I was good for me to tell me the truth to my face and that would force me to overcome myself to make me a better player.”
They say that Pellegrini wins respect because it is frank and direct, but calm, empathetic, a very difficult conjunction. As a teacher, I find it inspiring. It is known how important it is to have crossed with a good teacher in life. I have spoken to my son of my teacher in social anthropology: Antonio Mandly. He will have to look for his. At the moment, to look at Manuel Luis Pellegrini Ripamonti, perhaps the best coach who has directed Betis throughout his story.
#Beticism #acclaims #victorious #coach
