Ricardo Rodríguez: 'The Derby Is 50/50 – Anything Can Happen'
Betis left-back Ricardo Rodríguez opens up on the Seville derby, his late-season form, European ambitions, and chasing a fourth World Cup.
The Swiss veteran is back in the starting XI and absolutely buzzing for Sunday’s Seville derby — and he’s not giving Betis the favourites tag, not even a little bit.
Back in the picture
Ricardo Rodríguez has had a bit of a stop-start season, if we’re being honest. Injuries disrupted his campaign around the halfway point, but the left-back has clawed his way back into Pellegrini’s plans and has started each of Betis’s last three Liga fixtures. Not bad for a lad entering the final few months of his contract.
With his deal expiring in June, Rodríguez is clearly making the most of every minute — and you get the sense he knows it. He’s spoken to the club’s official media ahead of what promises to be a proper tasty one at the weekend.
On the derby itself
Rodríguez was refreshingly straightforward when asked who goes in as favourites. His take? Nobody.
“The derby is 50/50, the one who is more concentrated, does things better in the match…”
And fair enough, really. He made the point that Sevilla could be on a five or six-game losing run and it wouldn’t matter a jot come derby day — the whole thing resets. Betis might be flying, but that counts for nothing once the whistle goes. It’s a sentiment any football fan from any city with a proper derby will recognise immediately.
He also flagged that the Seville derby has a particular edge to it:
- The atmosphere is caliente — hotter than most
- The fans feel it more intensely than almost anywhere else
- He’s been told in no uncertain terms how much this one means to the Béticos
Competing for his place
Rodríguez was pretty philosophical about the competition for places in the squad. He acknowledged that everyone wants to play, but ultimately the gaffer picks the team — and that pressure from within the squad only raises the overall level. Classic dressing room mentality, no drama, just getting on with it.
Eyes on Europe too
Betis have got the Europa League to think about alongside their Liga push, and Rodríguez is keen to do well on both fronts. When asked about potential opponents in Europe, he noted they’ve already faced Nottingham Forest and would fancy a change of scenery, but was relaxed about whoever comes out of the draw. The priority is simply performing.
A fourth World Cup on the horizon?
Here’s the bit that really caught the eye. Rodríguez is targeting a fourth World Cup with Switzerland, which would be some achievement. He’s well aware of how rare that is — not many players get to that number — and he sounds genuinely motivated by the prospect. He’s not counting his chickens, but he’s clearly fit, focused, and not ready to pack it in just yet.
At 32, with a derby to win, a contract situation to navigate, and a World Cup dream still alive, Rodríguez has got plenty to play for between now and the summer. Sunday’s a good place to start.