The former Betis winger, Josete, showed himself with the typical mix of pride and loyalty when he spoke about this Saturday's duel between FCBarcelona and RealBetis. The match, which was broadcast on DAZN at 6:30 p.m., promises strong emotions since both teams are among those that generate the most sensations in the opening of the season. While Barça, under the direction of HansiFlick, leads the table with 34 goals in the league, Betis, led by ManuelPellegrini, occupies third place and has a fan base that hopes to turn the Cartuja into a true cauldron.
Josete, who played for Betis between 1994 and 1998, fondly remembers his time at the club, highlighting the qualification for European competitions, the UEFA Cup (95-96) and the European Cup Winners' Cup (97-98). Despite a knee injury that cut short his career, he remains linked to football as coach of CFBalaguer. His son, Hugo Tomás, is part of the Barça youth team, playing in the under-15 team, which adds a special nuance to the match at home. “We have always been culés at home, although I defended Betis professionally,” he explained, underlining that the passion for Barça remains alive in his family.
Regarding the match, Josete recognizes that Betis is having a good moment, but that Barça “does not usually fail” and that their scoring level is extraordinary. “When Betis is more prepared, Barça shows its quality,” he stated, recalling that the enthusiasm and passion of the Sevillian public usually influence the dynamics of the match. Regarding HansiFlick's Barcelona, the former player highlighted the youth of the squad and the club's ability to overcome each season, although he stressed that success in European competitions continues to be a challenge.
The former winger also recalled his encounters with Barça as a player, pointing out that the club was always a “bone” for him and that the closest matches ended with draws in the last minute. When asked how to stop young talents like Lamine Yamal, Josete admitted that it is a complicated task, comparing the experience of marking DavidFigo with Yamal's superiority in terms of imbalance and talent.
Finally, Josete expressed that the fact that his son can wear the shirt of a club that he has been a fan of since he was little is a dream come true. “It is a great achievement that Hugo can say that he is a Barça player,” he concluded, adding that his son's career will continue to depend on the evolution of his development and the opportunities that are presented to him within the club. This Saturday's match will undoubtedly be a turning point for both teams and a memorable occasion for Josete's family.