Pellegrini aims high as Betis returns to Champions League after 21 years

Manuel Pellegrini, the Chilean manager of Real Betis, is bracing for a demanding Champions League campaign as the Seville-based club makes its return to the continental competition after a 21-year absence. The draw has placed significant hurdles in their path, including formidable opponents like Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund.

Pellegrini, analyzing the draw conducted in Monaco, noted the high caliber of all the teams involved. "As we expected, they are all difficult teams, of a very high level. We are going to try to measure up to qualify," he stated during a press conference ahead of their domestic league match against Levante.

The veteran coach, known as "The Engineer," emphasized that the European challenge will not diminish Betis's ambition across all competitions. "We have seen the Champions League draw and the level of teams there is. In each competition, we must have the ambition to go as high as possible," he remarked.

This season's Champions League will also see Pellegrini reunite with familiar faces from his time managing in England. He specifically mentioned Yaya Touré, now coaching Slovan Bratislava, expressing affection and pleasure at seeing him in the competition. Pellegrini even joked about their upcoming match, wishing Touré luck "except for that game where he has to lose." Another reunion will be with Vincent Kompany, the current Bayern Munich manager, who also played under Pellegrini at Manchester City.

Beyond the European stage, Pellegrini is closely monitoring the final days of the transfer window. He hopes to finalize a competitive squad capable of handling a demanding season. "Four days remain, and the assessment will be made at the close," he commented, adding his desire to "get a competitive squad" and prevent any player departures, which he believes "always weaken" the team.