Granada CF vs Real Betis preview - Calderon looking to lift Betis

Posted Sunday, February 16, 2014 by PA

Real Betis coach Gabriel Calderon faces the unenviable task of trying to lift his team's spirits after a humiliating 5-0 defeat at Valencia in time for a crucial Andalusian derby away to fellow strugglers Granada.

Granada occupy the final spot above the relegation zone but have a 10-point lead over bottom-side Betis, who had looked like they could be turning a corner after beating Espanyol the week before they headed to Mestalla.

But a five-goal blitz in the space of 40 minutes was a stern reminder of how much work the team still need to do if they are to stand a chance of avoiding relegation.

In his pre-match briefing, the Argentinian coach made little effort to hide the fact that spirits were low among the squad.

Calderon said: "The team are really hurt. It's natural given the situation we are in, but all the players are feeling down and we need to keep going so we can find some balance and pick up confidence."

But he also had an optimistic message ahead of the game with Granada.

"Despite the defeat in Valencia, the players know that this game is worth six points. If you take away the bad quarter of an hour we had in Vigo and the entire Valencia game, I'm happy with how the team have been playing," he said.

And he stressed how urgent it was that his team picked up points against Granada.

"Sunday's game is a six-pointer that will feel like a cup final, because with each passing week the margin for error gets smaller and smaller. Making calculations is pointless unless we win our next game."

One factor in Betis' favour is that they have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions ahead of the game, while Granada will be without midfielder Manuel Iturra, who has picked up one too many yellow cards.

Granada head to Betis following a 1-0 defeat at Espnayol, made worse by the fact they played the final half hour with an extra man after Victor Alvarez was sent off.

The result was Granada's third straight defeat and leaves them hovering just above the relegation zone, on 24 points.

But coach Lucas Alcaraz has called for calm, telling a press conference: "We don't need that many more points to guarantee survival, although you wouldn't know that given the reaction this week.

"We need to get to 40 points and this squad is definitely capable of winning the further five or six games that we'll need to win."