Vincenzo Montella entrenador del Sevilla FC
First team

MONTELLA: "TO PLAY WITH JUST 3 IN DEFENCE WE NEED TIME TO ADAPT, SOMETHING WE DON'T HAVE"

10/01/2018
The Italian manager addressed the derby: "We've had a couple of bad days but we've identified where we need to improve"

Vincenzo Montella appeared before the press this Wednesday to give his point of view on tomorrow's cup match against Cádiz CF, though still soaking up the derby defeat: "We've had two bad days because of the defeat, but we've analysed the match and have seen what needs to be improved. The team has to be more compact, although the team did do well in some areas to try and turn the result around. We are motivated to continue improving tomorrow. It is clear that there are things we need to make better. The priority is to be better organised without possession. We need to be more direct, but I am optimistic and I am happy with the progress made by players in recent training sessions". 

Asked to send a message to Sevillistas, the Italian affirmed that "to the fans I would say that stick with us, being 8 points off third place we can recover and we're going to try". The transfer market was also brought to the forefront: "I speak with the management each day and I am happy with the team. I am sure that in some areas we are able to improve, like all other teams, but this is something we will see about". 

With regards to his own players, Arana was an obvious point of discussion: "He's in good shape, with expected jet lag. He has gone 20 days without training but looked in good form and we'll analyse the situation each day as it comes".

"Arana's good, he's in good shape despite not having trained for 20 days"

At the moment, what's important is focusing on the Copa del Rey: "My experience tells me that the upcoming match is always the most important. We have to fight in all tournaments and try and get as far as possible". Obviously, Montella doesn't see the tie as already won: "Tomorrow I hope for a lot from my players. We need to show continuity with respect to the first-leg of the match and I don't believe that qualification is a given, because this team was able to score 5 goals against Betis at their own stadium". 

"I don't think that tactics are the only solution. We need to find balance during matches. This team is built to play with 4 in defense. To play with 3 we need time to adapt, and this is something we don't have". 

Bringing the press conference to a close, speaking about the transfer market, he referred to Aleix Vidal and Batshuayi but gave nothing away: "They are great players, one you know better than I, and the other you know just as much as myself. I get on very well with Conte and we respect each other, but we haven't discussed the matter".