Real Madrid vs Real Betis preview - Espinosa: We won`t change footballing philosophy - 7M sport

Real Madrid vs Real Betis preview - Espinosa: We won`t change footballing philosophy



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Posted Saturday, October 15, 2011 by PA

Goalkeeper Casto Espinosa is adamant Real Betis will not abandon their football principles when they visit Real Madrid on Saturday.

Betis' flying start to the season was punctured before the international break with defeats to Getafe and Levante ending a four-match winning streak which had seen them top the table on their return to the top flight.

A trip to the Bernabeu is probably not the kind of assignment Betis would choose as they bid to arrest that mini-slump but Casto is confident the Andalucians can spring a surprise if they stick to their customary gameplan.

"We can say we are a team with a style and a strong footballing philosophy," he told the Diario de Sevilla newspaper.

"Not all teams can boast that and we will not change anything just because we will face one of the best teams in the world."

Beating Jose Mourinho's title challengers would represent a significant coup for Betis but Casto insists playing Madrid is no different to any other Primera Division clash.

"It is just as important to beat Real Madrid as it is Levante," he said. "It is one more game, three points.

"I don't think of beating one team in particular and we believe in ourselves to give them a good game."

Betis boss Pepe Mel, who this week has been promoting his first novel entitled `The Liar', has a near fully-fit squad to choose from.

Jefferson Montero, Dusko Tosic, Mario and Ruben Castro have all returned from injury with long-term absentee Nelson the only player unavailable.

Madrid go into the game on the back of a three-match winning run in all competitions.

A 6-2 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano lifted the gloom after a poor run and was followed up with a 3-0 defeat of Ajax in the Champions League and a 4-0 victory at Espanyol.

The wins lent weight to the theory that some of the new arrivals required time to settle in but were now fully up to speed.

One of the new boys Fabio Coentrao, who joined from Benfica, has been a stand-out player for Madrid so far this season and he has revealed his delight at how things are going at his new club and also reserved special praise for countryman Mourinho.

"Mourinho is the best coach in the world. He is special and is a fantastic person," he told Real Madrid TV.

"Mourinho means a lot to me. He was the one who wanted me to play for Madrid and I admire him greatly.

"I am very grateful to him. As a coach he is the best. A special coach. I have seen many players speak badly about coaches, but not Mourinho."

Mourinho will be able to call on Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Marcelo and Raphael Varane after the quintet were able to join in full training on Thursday.



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