This season of Renato Tapia In Celtic from Vigo has become variable and uncertain. At the start of LaLiga EA Sport in Spain, the Peruvian national team midfielder was not in the plans of Spanish coach Rafael “Rafa” Benítez. The same strategist had spoken about Tapia's whereabouts in a few press conferences at the start of the tournament. However, this situation has changed.
Now the 28-year-old was able to make it into the starting line-up and has been in the starting line-up in each of the last three games. In a recent press conference before the game against Villarreal, the coach spoke about Tapia's current situation.
Benítez explained that at the start of the 2023–2024 season he asked Renato Tapia to look for another team because he would not take this into account in his considerations; However, this changed and Now he points out that he has become an important footballer because when he steps on the field it gives him different things. In addition, he confessed what he said to him when they didn't want to renew it.
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What did “Rafa” Benítez say about Renato Tapia?
“Renato comes into the team and gives us different characteristics than his teammates, that's clear. I explained it a thousand times that Renato would end his contract. He was on the list waiting to hire another footballer, I sat down with him.” He came to my office and said to him: “Look, we are looking for another player, in the meantime we will continue working.” Logically he is not on the list as if he were first, second, third, but there are other teammates that we are “See how they develop,” he explained to the media.
The experienced Spaniard praised Tapia and highlighted the work he has done not only at the club but also in the Peruvian team. He also explained the value he attaches to the team.
“Still, he continues to work, competes, he goes with the Peruvian team and competes, now he has more opportunities, he gives us something that we were missing in the team, that is the positive that we as Footballers have recovered,” he added about the bicolor midfielder.