First team

BERIZZO: “WE COME OFF THE BACK OF TWO DEFEATS AND WE NEED THE WIN WE'RE LOOKING FOR TOMORROW”

20/10/2017
The coach emphasised the need to improve "defensive solidity, to continue controlling possession and to convert the chances we have"

A huge fixture ahead of Sevilla FC this weekend in the Mestalla, with the side needing to overturn two consecutive defeats against the side who sit second in La Liga. A difficult task, but one Sevilla FC coach, Eduardo Berizzo, is looking forward to: "it will be a difficult game against an opponent in good form. But any good result we can get in a match like this, against a direct rival, can help us recover. We come off two defeats and we need a win which we'll be looking for tomorrow. It's a match all about control, where we have to be wary of the attacking duo they have, which is very fast and a centre-midfield, with a player like Parejo, who if you let control the ball always puts you in dangerous situations". 

"Against Valencia we need to dominate and convert the chances we have"

An important match but not the be-all and end-all for the Argentinian coach: "No match is a be-all and end-all. Yes they are a direct rival but it's nothing like a final, the league will keep on going after the match and the points up for grabs are exactly the same as when Leganés come here. We lost against Athletic in a game which we controlled but didn't do damage in. We lost without deserving to. We played badly in the second half and against Valencia we'll need to dominate and convert the chances we have". 

Asked about any tactical changes, like the use of two strikers, Berizzo said: "I tried to do that against Bilbao, but by not adding another player to attack you hold the ball up better. I'm not ruling it out but the style of play of a team sometimes outweigh tactics, intentions are more important, where you want to rob the ball and construct attacks... I always look for the gameplan that makes my players feel most comfortable".  

"We have to improve defensive solidity and continue to dominate possession"

It's not just the defeat in the San Mamés the team needs to overturn but also the side's loss in Moscow against Spartak: "It was defensive mistakes that allowed a team who had six chances to score five. Up until the 65th minute it was unthinkable the match would end with that score. We dominated possession - we have to continue doing that whilst correcting defensive mistakes that cost us goals. Improve defensive solidity and continue dominating possession".

Something he is sure his players, who he went on to praise, will do: "We have enough people with international experience and have played enough matches between us to know how to manage well. The team had the chance to go to 2-1 up but it went 3-1 down in no time at all. We were surprised by the scoreboard and soon after it turned into an uphill battle. But we have people of character and quality to run the game. 

At the same time, he put a positive spin on a team that, for Berizzo, is forced to deal with critics: "We need a reaction following the recent defeats, although our position is good, the losses mean we have to win. Tomorrow we have to go with clear heads and play the match as we want against a rival that comes out strong. It will be an intense clash, a great watch and I hope we do well". 

"I continue to believe in my work, in my footballers and in a team that plays with my tactics and wins"

Addressing the criticism received in the last few days, the manager defended his work: "Criticism is a part of my profession. Just as praise is, which I do not read into. My work comes with a lot of emotional exhaustion because it impacts a lot of people, but the effort and energy that I put into my work on a daily basis remains the same, I am the same, I continue to believe in my work, in my footballers and in the fact that the team can play my way and win. I want the best for the team and the Club and for all the fans who are proud of their side. I've always felt supported by the Club, I don't need any extra support in these moments. We need to win. Who doesn't? We have to work calmly and with self-assurance".