Betis out to beat domestic blues

Real Betis Balompié are keen to put another miserable domestic result behind them as they seek UEFA Cup last-16 success at home to FC Steaua Bucuresti.

Familiar position
Sunday's 1-1 home draw against bottom club Málaga CF sent Lorenzo Serra Ferrer's team back into the Primera División relegation zone, but a similar result in Bucharest last week - achieved despite the absence of Capi (thigh), Alejandro Lembo (ankle), Paolo Castellini (thigh), Marcos Assunção (shoulder) and Miguel Ángel (knee) - gave more cause for optimism.

Historic occasion
Midfielder Miguel Ángel will be back for the second leg against Steaua, when Serra Ferrer is convinced his side will complete the job. "Whether people like it or not, we will turn a new page in the history of this club if we get through to the next round," he said. "Our self-belief is a bit low sometimes but we've been confident in the UEFA Cup."

Famous companions
Belief levels have not been high in the Steaua camp in recent weeks - as home Romanian league draws against SC Vaslui and FC 2005 Pitesti testify - but a fully-fit squad will travel to the Manuel Ruíz de Lopera stadium. Also present will be the heroes of Steaua's 1985/86 European Champion Clubs' Cup-winning team, who took their crown in Seville at the home of Betis's local rivals Sevilla FC.

'We'll qualify'
Owner Gigi Becali has restated his commitment to his coach, saying: "Whatever the result, Cosmin Olaroiu will not be fired. I stand by what I said - in a few years, Olaroiu will be a top European coach. We have not scored many goals this year because we have had bad luck, but I am not worried about the match in Seville. We'll get through."