MENDILIBAR: "I HOPE WE CAN OFFER A BETTER DEFENSIVE DISPLAY AND CAUSE SOME PROBLEMS"

José Luis Mendilibar spoke to the media ahead of tomorrow's away fixture against Valencia CF. The Sevilla boss kicked off the press conference discussing the squad's fitness: "The players are still tired after travelling. Those that played have done just that little more than the rest of them. The aim is to keep them as fit as possible for tomorrow's game. We are up against a good team that tries to fill the box quickly and cause problems with their crossing. They aren't playing too well but they have players that can hurt you. Due to the circumstances they are where they are but I think we will be coming up against a good team that can drag themselves out of the situation they are in at any moment".

In regards to tactics, the coach highlighted that "our game plan is the same, but our opponents also have their own. Manchester United were able to get out of their half and that pinned us back. In the second half we were better but no one game is the same. Valencia are going to want to get at us quickly. I hope we can offer a better defensive display so that we get out and cause some problems. It's going to be tough but we have a good team here". 

When discussing the team's fitness, Mendilibar made it clear that he is going to need all personnel available for this final run-in of the season, especially players like Rafa Mir: "I talk with all the players and I have said to Rafa that we are going to need everybody. I don't know if it will be tomorrow but I am sure that he will be a starter in one of these matches. We are at the stage of bringing those who are injured back and we are counting on just about everybody. What Rafa can't do is fall behind in his recovery because there are some important matches coming up". 

Mendilibar also commented on Pape Gueye who, due to suspension, will not be available for our visit to the Mestalla. Gueye also missed training this Saturday through injury: "Pape has had a problem with his ankle ever since I arrived. He has hardly missed training. Today, he tested it out and he couldn't train but I am hoping that he will be able to train soon. It's not too serious, it's just a niggle that becomes worse when you don't play but I am sure that next week he will be back". 

"The mood in the camp is a good one and that is encouraging" 

The group moral was also one of the press conference's talking points, especially after Thursday's hard-fought draw in England: "Mentally, to have come back from two down at Old Trafford, it's an encouraging sign; it's a boost of moral. The boys are tired and that happens but mentally it's a great feeling. I like that the players come to training motivated and that they are always up for it, the mood in the camp is a good one and that is encouraging". 

The team want this good feeling to be sustained and the way that is achieved is by taking all three points this weekend: "In terms of the standings, we would take three points from Valencia and force them to play a lot more games, but they will also be thinking the same. We have to get out our own half better than what we did in Manchester, try to cause them problems and put in a top performance. It's a game where we have a strong chance of winning and if we do everything we are supposed to, it'll be another name ticked off the list".

Once again, the boss touched on the squad's capability, reiterating that there will be moments when everyone can chip in to help the team out: "The important thing is to have everyone on board. We have played three games and it seems as though it were a lot more. There is a long way still to go and everyone needs to be calm. Sometimes players get nervous but I think there will be ample time for each one if they keep to what they're doing. We will see if they all can keep up the same team spirit and enthusiasm to play". 

In closing, Mendilibar spoke about the optimism of the Sevilla fans after the positive result in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals: "Results are everything in football. A lot of times you play well and you don't win and sometimes you play bad and you pull off a result... Right now, we are all on cloud nine. It's normal for the fans to be high on spirit but I think that at 21:20 on Thursday we were screwed. However, this team has that something special in the Europa League. It's not a plan or anything, it's just that this team has a halo around his head when it comes to this competition".