Rodrigo Riquelme broke the deadlock in the 81st minute before Marc Bartra added a second eight minutes later, giving Manuel Pellegrini’s side three important points and leaving Elche to reflect on a performance their coach felt deserved a reward.
“I feel a lot of anger at not having won, because I think we did everything to do so,” Anselmi said. “Going away empty-handed seems like very little reward for the way the match developed. The players’ performance was at least good enough to earn a point.
“The way they compete represents me and fills me with pride. Their courage in playing, their understanding of how to exploit advantages, and the way they transition and recover after each duel were all there. We were denied the first goal when we had our chances. If we compete like this, we will collect plenty of points.”
Anselmi questioned a possible foul on Osorio before Betis took the lead, although he admitted he had not seen the incident clearly on television.
“I cannot talk about the incident because I have not seen it on the television camera. On the tactical camera, you cannot appreciate it. If the action involving Fede Redondo, when he was booked, was a foul, then Osorio’s was too. It is common sense.”
The Elche coach also defended his side’s approach after the interval, when the game became more open.
“The profile of players we had in the second half was not about control, but transition. Without Villar or Aguado, who are more midfield players, you have a team with the legs to counter-attack. That is the kind of match you get with those profiles.
“We had everything happen to us. Buba could not play because of discomfort, Ali asked to come off after an incident, and Roy Revivo could not finish either. Neto worked tremendously hard, and Morcillo was impressive. The physical demands can leave you a little stretched, but I do not think that caused the goals.”
Pellegrini was delighted with the result, particularly after Betis had lost control during the latter stages of the first half.
“We are very happy because these are three very important points to remain near the top of the table,” he said. “We knew this was a difficult team to play against. We had a lot of control and intensity in the first 20 minutes, but in the last 25 of the first half they controlled the match.
“In the second half, from the first minute, we pressed, kept possession and looked for the opposition goal as a big team should.”
Pellegrini also praised his squad’s response to rotation, insisting those coming off the bench were just as important as the starters.
“Marc’s goal is very important for him. He gives us personality and heads the ball very well. We have also scored from set-pieces, just as we have conceded goals that way.”
The Betis coach said his side were not looking beyond their next fixture, despite their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League.