Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini praised his players after the club secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 20 years following Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Elche in LaLiga.
A decisive 68th-minute winner from Pablo Fornals sealed the crucial victory at the Benito Villamarín Stadium, confirming Betis will finish inside LaLiga’s top five and return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign.
The achievement marks another milestone in Betis’ impressive rise under Pellegrini. The Spanish side have qualified for European football every season since 2021 and also reached last season’s UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea.
Speaking after the match, the 72-year-old Chilean manager reflected on the club’s remarkable journey and the determination shown throughout the campaign.
“It’s not easy to compete in European competitions for six consecutive years, and even less to qualify for the Champions League with two matches still remaining,” Pellegrini told reporters.
“The team’s greatest strength was always its ability to recover after defeats. Every setback we suffered during the season was rewarded today with this incredible celebration alongside our fans.”
Pellegrini also revealed the club had targeted Champions League qualification from the very beginning of the season.
“We started the campaign against Elche, and after the team talk, we wrote in green letters: ‘Today we begin our journey to the Champions League.’”
Betis will now turn their attention to Sunday’s clash against newly crowned LaLiga champions Barcelona as they prepare to celebrate a memorable season in style.
