Pellegrini after winning Champions League debut: “We are not satisfied just to participate”

Manuel Pellegrini says Real Betis has no intention of treating Champions League participation as an achievement in itself after opening its campaign with a 3-2 away win over Lille.

“We are not satisfied just to participate,” the Chilean coach said. “Reaching it is not the end of what one needs. We must show that we are capable of reaching the second round.”

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We are not satisfied just to participate. We have discussed it with the squad. Reaching it is not the end of what one needs. We must show that we are capable of reaching the second round. We started on the right foot, but there is a long way to go.

Pellegrini acknowledged that Betis had started on the right foot but stressed that much remained to be done. He said the team had come from behind twice in Lille, crediting its “personality and confidence” for the comeback.

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Personality and confidence

The coach also pointed to the club’s five years of European competition, even though Betis had not previously played in the Champions League. That experience, he said, had helped the team.

Betis created chances in the first half despite trailing, Pellegrini said. He added that set-piece goals had leveled the match, while the overall statistics favored his side. He also expressed happiness for the two goalscorers, including Irish forward Troy Parrott.

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Five years playing in Europe, even if it was not the Champions League. That also gives experience.