Manuel Pellegrini: "Kryvbas" is a powerful opponent but we want to win

Press Conference of Spanish head coach Betis A Manuel Pellegrini before the first match of the Playoff League of Conferences 2024 \ 25 against Kryvyi Rih Kryvbas U.

- What can you say about Kryvbas? Maybe someone can be allocated from football players?

- Tomorrow we will play against a powerful opponent. After all, he took third place in UPL after such well -known teams - Shakhtar and Dynamo, which usually argue for the first two steps. We have to play well and provide ourselves with a result - victory.

- Mr. Pellegrini, tomorrow the match will be officiated by the referee who worked on the russia - Serbia game back in March. As we know, russia, the aggressor country, has been banned by UEFA for almost three years due to a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. russia kills people in Ukraine every day: women, children. How do you feel about the fact that such a referee works at UEFA matches and tomorrow he will officiate a match involving the Ukrainian team?

- Yes, I read about it. But this is UEFA's decision. Yes, I understand doubts about him. Of course, this is unpleasant for political reasons, because of what is happening in Ukraine. But I have no doubt that he is a good arbiter, because it is UEFA. Yes, I understand that it will not be the best words to his address if he makes a mistake somewhere. Because it will also happen for political reasons.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih