Real Betis head coach Manuel Pellegrini has been able to refocus on qualifying for Europe after his side won for the first time in eight La Liga matches with a 3-2 comeback victory at Girona on Tuesday.
Los Verdiblancos scored with all three attempts on target and are inside the qualification positions by five points with six matches of their campaign remaining, starting with the visit of second-placed Real Madrid on Friday.
“I would still consider it a great achievement to finish fifth again and play in Europe,” said Pellegrini. “We’ll see which competition.
“Only Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have played in Europe for six years in a row. No other club has done it.
“Betis haven’t done it in their history, either. Reaching the quarter-finals in both competitions [Europa League and Copa del Rey] and finishing fifth would seem to me to be a very good season, despite the occasional setbacks we had.
“Madrid aren’t going through a good period because not winning titles at Madrid is difficult.
“It’s still Madrid, though, and they have game-changing players who can punish you quickly for any lapse in concentration.”
Los Blancos started April with a four-match winless run, losing away to Mallorca and drawing at home to Girona either side of losing both legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side are nine points behind Barcelona, who they visit in the Clasico on May 10.
“It doesn’t depend on us,” Arbeloa accepted as his players prepare to embark upon three successive away games.
“Our goal is to win all six [remaining matches], regardless of what Barcelona do. We’re only worried about this game, but it’s not up to us.”
“My main goal shouldn’t be to motivate a Real Madrid player; they have very high expectations of themselves. My goal is to prepare them for what awaits them on the pitch.”
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Real Betis v Real Madrid team news
Left-back Junior Firpo (muscle) is out for Real Betis, who have a doubt over Cucho Hernandez after their attacking focal point was substituted at half-time against Girona with knee discomfort.
Former Madrid playmaker Isco continued his comeback from a long-term ankle injury by coming off the bench in that game and the 34-year-old’s involvement could be crucial.
Having also been kept out by a broken fibula earlier in the campaign, Isco has made only one 30-minute appearance in the 2025/26 Liga after contributing 12 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season.
Defender Eder Militao, who had only just returned from a long-term injury, and playmaker Arda Guler will miss the rest of Madrid’s season with hamstring injuries.
Winger Rodrygo (knee) and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (muscle) are out. Raul Asencio has missed two games as the defender recovers from gastroenteritis.
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