Real Betis vs Getafe preview - Adan committed to Betis cause
Posted Friday, March 07, 2014 by PA
Antonio Adan signed a new contract with Real Betis and then spelt out his desire to stop the Primera Division's bottom club from slipping into the second tier of Spanish football.
Goalkeeper Adan has been one of the few players to impress at Betis this season.
The 26-year-old signed for Betis on a short-term deal in January after he was released by Cagliari.
On Friday the goalkeeper committed his future to Betis for three years, even though they are 11 points from safety.
Adan is committed to staying at the club even if they are relegated, but he has not given up hope of playing in the top flight with the Andalusian club next year either.
"By the end of the season, we'll try to put the club where it belongs, which is in the first division," the former Real Madrid goalkeeper told a press conference.
"If not, I'm willing to play in the division we're in.
"I'm very happy here. Since I arrived, the club has given me so many things in a short amount of time.
"Both sides agreed to continue our time together just a little bit longer, so I'm very happy."
Given that Betis have to play Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in their final 12 games, there seems little doubt that Adan and his team-mates will, in fact, be playing second-tier football next term.
However, there is still a glimmer of hope and Betis hope their revival will start on Saturday when they host Getafe.
The good news for coach Gabriel Calderon is that midfielder Alfred N'Diaye - the only Betis player called up for international duty this week - returned from Senegal's draw with Mali unscathed and he is expected to play.
Getafe are in a far healthier position than their opponents, but they are still by no means assured of their top-flight status.
Getafe missed the chance to pull away from the relegation zone over the last fortnight, registering disappointing draws against Espanyol and Celta Vigo.
His team may be just four points clear of the relegation zone, but coach Luis Garcia is confident he can keep Getafe up.
"I keep repeating myself but it's true, we could have won our last two matches," Garcia told a press conference.
"We lacked a bit of intensity, a bit of luck. But the team is confident and we now hope we can get a good result in Seville against Betis."
Garcia will be without goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya, who this week had an operation on a torn bicep.
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