Pellegrini says the relationship between referees and VAR must improve

“The relationship between the referee and VAR is what needs to improve,” Manuel Pellegrini said ahead of Betis’ Champions League match against Feyenoord. The coach defended the usefulness of video assistance while stressing that the referee must retain authority on the pitch.

“The possibility of reviewing an incident a second time is always helpful,” he said. “But the authority must always belong to the referee.” Pellegrini maintains that VAR helps reduce errors, while acknowledging that its current operation can be improved.

The comments came as Betis prepared to host Feyenoord at La Cartuja in the third round of the Champions League league phase. The match is scheduled for the day after the news conference. Betis held its final training session that morning, with Cucho Hernández and Junior absent. Pellegrini and Pablo Fornals then spoke to the media.

The coach expects a difficult contest and noted that Feyenoord, like the previous opponent, leads its league. “We will try to take the game to them, but we have the footballing tools to try to win at home,” he said.

Asked about the refereeing controversy in the Liga match against Barcelona the previous Saturday, Pellegrini said he wanted to move on and focus Betis’ efforts on the European fixture. He said the hours after a win should be spent enjoying it, while defeat brings its share of bitterness. “The match is over, the result is settled, what happened has happened. We are thinking only about tomorrow’s Champions League match, not the Liga game,” he said.

Pellegrini also defended his rotation policy, with his team facing eight matches in 27 days. Recovery, match workload and player performance are among the factors he considers when selecting his starting side, he explained. He did not reveal his lineup for Feyenoord and stressed that the five substitutes are as important as those who start.

Cucho is injured and, Pellegrini said, Troy will most likely play in his place. The coach said he was satisfied with both players, describing them as two central forwards who can contribute in the penalty area and score important goals. He also said he did not know whether the club would appeal in Facundo’s case, which he regarded as relating to a match that was already over. However, he declined to place all the blame on the referee, acknowledging that his own team had made mistakes, including the sending-off.