JORGE SAMPAOLI: "WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMIES"

Sevilla FC head coach Jorge Sampaoli spoke ahead of tomorrow's fixture against UD Almería. The Argentine started off by pointing out "that the team is looking to play how we played in the second half on Thursday. We are playing against a team close to us in the table that's fighting for the same things we are. Despite the problems we've been having, we have to correct things and go into the game firmly. We are going to need some guts". 

Upon being questioned about Badé, the boss outlined how important his return is: "We have a very important player returning. He's a player who won't be around for much longer but every time he has played he has given us his all. He's helped out with all the absences. In every game, the group puts in a lot of effort to resolve the problems, always trying its best. We have to give some credit to the players who are playing out of position". 

"We are hoping that we are going to have control"

In a similar manner, Jorge Sampaoli touched on Corona's importance: "He is a player we can turn to in the big games. He is getting called up to the squad so that he can change the dynamic and think about playing and not about his injury. Hopefully, it will give us the metrics of his recovery in full". Sampaoli also spoke on the upcoming game against UD Almería: "We are hoping that we are going to have control. We'd say, in terms of our characteristics, that we need to see the game as a dispute. Without control, in a game of back-and-forth, any team can hurt you. But that's a question of the opponent's efficiency". 

"What worries me is if we don't show up. When it's not going your way, you compete. I think that we should have control. In the first half, without losing any positional sense, we are a bit delayed in getting readjusted defensively. The idea is that we defend as a unit. The times when the team has the most mishaps are in our own half", said Sampaoli when referring to the style of play. The other day we restructured the defence like never before. Wanting to partner Fernando with Acuña, in that position, was also tricky because of our vulnerable defensive repositioning".

"When things don't go your way, you have to focus and believe in the plan"

Looking towards the task at hand, the boss focused on his team: "We are our own worst enemies. We can't play with any anxiousness or hesitation. No player is going to have the feeling of wanting to get it over and done with, that won't happen. It is going to be a demanding and difficult game with a lot of intensity. We have to set up from there". Sampaoli analysed how important belief in the game plan is: "Handling individuals is where managers struggle, which happens quite a lot in this profession nowadays. When things don't go your way, you have to focus and believe in the plan. We have the tools to be able to win the game. Being able to call on those tools is what separates the men from the boys".

Lastly, the Argentine once again spoke about Corona and his fitness levels: "Every player who comes back from these types of injuries has to get used to walking differently and overcoming their fears. For us, it is important to bring back Tecatito. He is very confident and that makes him one of the world's outstanding players. Forcing him into a situation where he is not 100 per cent recovered mentally or physiologically would be a mistake".