Real Betis vs Osasuna preview - Garrido happy with Betis progress

Posted Saturday, January 11, 2014 by PA

Real Betis coach Juan Carlos Garrido feels his team are finally showing signs of moving in the right direction as they prepare to face Osasuna in the Primera Division on Sunday.

Garrido took the reins last month after the dismissal of Pepe Mel, but Betis remain rooted to the foot of the league table and five points from safety.

Although they have not won in 10 league fixtures, their start to the new year has been more promising with a goalless draw against Real Valladolid last weekend followed by a midweek Copa del Rey win over Athletic Bilbao.

And Garrido has been encouraged by what he has seen since his appointment.

"When I arrived here, when a coach replaces another, people think everything will change but that's not the case," he told the club's official website.

"Even today there are things which are not the level I want them to be, but my aim is to rescue Betis. And we are on the right road in this process.

"I'm not going to get ahead of myself, we are still at walking pace, but we are going in the right direction in getting a more solid defence and balanced team."

Garrido in particular stressed the importance of the midweek win, although warned Osasuna will be another tough nut to crack.

"Victories always help the team become more positive and give us belief to get the things we want," he said.

"You have to create a mood in which players feel empowered and Wednesday's win will help us a lot.

"However, Osasuna are playing very well. Their matches are very organised and they know how to perform. We must work hard in organising our team for a stable and consistent performance."

Osasuna are just two points better off than the bottom three but are unbeaten in their last three league matches.

New signing Javier Acuna could go straight into the squad for Sunday's match. The striker passed a medical on Friday afternoon before training for the first time with his new team-mates.