LOPETEGUI: "TOMORROW THERE WILL BE AN EMOTIONAL COMPONENT AS WELL AS THE PHYSICAL EFFORT INVOLVED"

He acknowledged that Ocampos is wrapped up in cotton wool, but he is not ruled out: "It is true that we have had a small problem, both with him and with some other teammates. He has trained normally except for a part of today's training, so we'll wait for tomorrow. We will assess him and other teammates who may or may not start or who may be able to help the team. We will wait for that time that will give us better information. Lucas has done a very good job in this preseason. It's true that he had a little problem in the final stretch and we will make the decision tomorrow. If he plays, it will be because he has all the guarantees, but we will wait". He also didn't deny the impact the Argentinian has had on the team: "It's obvious that he has been a regular starter and that he has given us a lot of things during the season. But nobody lives on what they've done, neither players nor coaches. We have to focus on tomorrow, which is a precious, demanding match with three important points against a good team".

"Ocampos has been a regular starter, but nobody lives on what they've done"

He spoke about the new change which allows more substitutions: "The initial approach is the same. Then what changes is that you have two more substitutions and that allows you to have more people on the pitch at certain times. It can be for physical or tactical reasons, but there is no obligation and in Germany many teams have not used them. Every match is a melon, until you open it you don't know what will happen. You have to be aware of what could affect the team and we'll try to be alert".

The Basque manager was questioned about the real practice they have been able to carry out: "We have done very little 11-a-side football because, along with Betis, we're the team that have trained the least, only eight training sessions. We've had a couple of windows where we've tried to do 11-a-side as accurately as possible. We have to adapt with a good face and attitude, and take advantage of the time to get as sharp as possible. Tomorrow there will be an emotional component as well as the physical effort involved". 

"We've had a couple of windows where we've tried to do 11-a-side as accurately as possible"

Lopetegui does not foresee any problems regarding safety outside the ground: "I'm worried about the line-up and the team. Each competent body will be watching to see that the measures are complied with. The message is one of responsibility and I hope people do what law enforcement forces are telling them to do. The measures are for the common good. Of course we would like to have a full stadium, but this is the case and this is the message we have to give".

He also stressed the importance of the mental aspect: "We have talked about it, speaking about the circumstances and knowing what we can do so that we are not surprised by the context. Although they don't play every three days in Germany, we've taken it as a reference. We have to prepare ourselves for that and live with a strange situation, knowing that deep down there is a game and that we want the points. It's about adapting our response to a new reality.

"We have to prepare to live with a strange situation"

As far as favourites are concerned, he did not create any headlines: "I know it's a question you like a lot but there are no favourites in a derby. They are two teams with a lot of passion and desire. Betis have a good team and they are well managed. We were both going into the match at a good time and there is no favourite. We have to develop what we have in mind on the pitch and in competing. The rest of it is for you. Betis is a very complete team, it has good players on a technical level, with speed and options. They have a great team and they have grown. They were in a good moment when this happened and I have a great respect for our opponents".

The acoustic aspect is also going to have a big influence: "You're going to hear everything and we'll have to be careful, but on the level of communication that's one part and the communication between players is more important. The sound of football is going to be different, we're going to hear everything and it's a new context to which we'll have to adapt".

"The sound of football is going to be different and we'll have to adapt"

Banega and Nolito would finish their contract on June 30th, but Lopetegui sees them as very involved: "I think they are the same as always. They're working great, they're two lads in different circumstances and the response has been fantastic from both Nolito and Éver. These are contractual situations but so far I'd give them a ten out of ten, both in terms of commitment and work".

Finally, he spoke of a preseason with a footnote: "There is a difference, in that in a preseason there are eight friendlies and here none. We have tried to take advantage of the little time and surely the physical aspect will grow, but we have tried to take advantage of all the time to go into the first match in the best way. I wouldn't compare it to a regular preseason".