Ricardo expects upturn in struggling Betis’ fortunes

Portugal goalkeeper “confident in quality of the squad”

Real Betis goalkeeper Ricardo admits that he was hoping for a better start to life in La Liga after his summer switch from Portuguese side Sporting, but hopes to see an improvement soon.

Portugal’s number one moved to the Manuel Luiz de Lopera stadium during the summer, but just one win from their opening eight games has seen Betis slip down to 17th place in the Spanish top flight.

“I was hoping that we’d be higher after eight games, but now we must to improve,” said the 31-year-old. “I hope to help the group to win because everyone has to contribute. All the team are responsible for the mistakes in defence because we all defend and attack together.

“I’m not used to fighting for anything other than the title, but I have complete confidence in the quality of the squad. If we win our next two games, we are sure to advance four or five positions. If we do that we will gain confidence, because when you’re down you don’t have much.”

As one of the more experienced players in manager Hector Cuper’s squad, it has been suggested that Ricardo will be expected to lead by example, and the former Sporting man believes that his team-mates share his determination.

“I am a hot-blooded player who always wants to win,” he said. “If this is contagious to the other players, all the better. I believe that we all have this character. It is always important to want to work for more, to want to improve and make things better.”

Betis travel to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in La Liga, before a midweek home clash with Osasuna and a trip to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona next weekend.