Marchena: “We want to beat Real Betis and not look at other games”

Carlos Marchena, assistant coach to Rubén Baraja, spoke to VCF Media ahead of the big season finale at the Benito Villamarín against Real Betis.

How are the team doing?

They are holding up well, preparing the game conscientiously knowing what we have in our hands and the difficulty of the game. Our preparation is not like a normal week, because it is the final matchday, but we know what we have to do and have clear ideas.

Aiming for victory against Betis

The idea is that it is down to us. We want to win or, as the lesser of two evils, draw and not have to pay attention to anyone else. That is the attitude and the message transmitted to the team, the coaching staff and to everyone else.

We are focusing our attention and our energy on our match and what we can do. We cannot influence what happens at other grounds, so the smartest thing to do is to focus on the ninety minutes, prepare well and train well, so that psychologically the team are prepared. We don’t have another way.

Conviction

We came in at a very difficult and delicate time because the players were not in a very good state of mind. We have made a long, hard, difficult journey, but that gives the players confidence that they have been able to get out of the relegation zone. They have done the right things to now be in this situation of it being down to us, and that gives them security and helps them to know that things have been done well and that we just have to finish it off in this last game.

The emotions the team felt against RCD Espanyol

We had a moment of madness and uncertainty, with changing results. We don't know if the fans were celebrating because of the goal or because they thought we had earned safety, but we have to remain calm and know that everything is very tight and very evenly matched, everywhere we go. We have to try to always be focused.

We have to be emotionally prepared and if we don't do our part it's useless for us to think about what is happening at other grounds.

We started the game very well and we had it under control, making chances against Espanyol. We didn’t finish all of our chances and when we scored they went on and took advantage of our mistake and took the lead. We got nervous, which you have to know control, but that late goal and that point give us much more security and confidence for this last game.

Keeping the routine the same

We are going to do the same things, as routines are good for a team. There are players with whom you have to talk more or less, but I try to ensure that everyone arrives in optimal physical and mental condition. We will do what we have been doing these last few weeks.

Maintaining positivity

The players seem calm. There is a difference when a team have something at stake or not in the last game. Those who have nothing to lose have already finished their work and are thinking about their holidays, but we haven't finished and we have to be very focused.

You always have to stay focused and you can't let yourself switch off. You always have to be alert and have a winning mentality. That is the mentality that makes you a great professional and a born winner.

Keeping calm

Until the referee blows the final whistle, I don't like to celebrate anything. I like to control everything that we can control and until he calls time and your heart rate drops, you have to be calm. In a moment of celebration and madness, it is always a good moment to talk to a player and correct things, but for that to happen we have to have that calm to talk to them.

Real Betis

It is true that when you are preparing a game and you have already achieved your objective, it can throw you off track or make you a little disconnected, but sometimes relaxation makes you play without nerves and without pressure and Real Betis will want to sign off well in front of their fans. We have to start the game very well and show who has the most at stake in this game.

We are expecting a Real Betis team that have played very well and very freely throughout the season, with a coach who likes to play good football, who has players of a very good level. We expect a game in which they will try to please the fans. That is the Betis that we expect.

Joaquin's farewell

Joaquín deserves to say goodbye to the fans as a starter, but knowing him I know that he wants to win, say goodbye with victory and everyone will want him to feel good. Winning is something that everybody likes.

Trust in young players

It is hard to make those decisions in times of difficulty. It is good that the coach has the knowledge of the VCF Academy. I also worked in the Sevilla FC academy and we know about the excitement the players have and what young people can contribute to the first team.

There are times when you have to look for resources “under the rocks,” they appear and you have to have the courage to give the youngsters who earn it a consistent run, which is not easy because you have to manage the group.

The fans

It is not easy for the fans to see the team in the situation that we are in, and for them to give that continuous, insurmountable support means a lot. Mestalla gives us a lot when we are playing at home, and away we have felt very supported. We were very comforted when the referee whistled in Elche or Vigo and we could see our fans enjoying themselves after a long and happy trip. It hurt us enormously when we lost in Cádiz, and we all came back very hurt. We hope that in Seville they enjoy it and the return trip is all about happiness. We want to finish well, for the team to seal survival and have a good game, and to close the season with victory. We want the fans to enjoy the game, have fun and have a very happy Sunday.