MENDILIBAR: "THE EXCITEMENT IS THERE, THIS COMPETITION IS DIFFERENT FOR SEVILLISTAS"

José Luis Mendilibar was speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United. The Sevilla coach, who completed his preparations with his side on Wednesday, first stressed that "every win helps, you come off the back of a win in Valencia and a positive result in Manchester and I think that the players are mentally in good shape. We know they're a difficult opponent, but we're going to compete and I think both sides have the same chance of progressing."

As for the opposition's absentees, he prioritised the fact that they should focus on their own game: "Until they announce the line-up I'm not going to think about who's going to play or who's not because that would be speculation. We also have some injured players, you think they're back and fit but they're always missing something, there are no pre-season games now and our test is the match. The team they put out will be very good, it doesn't matter who plays.

Rashford is one of the best strikers there is at the moment, but we're not going to adjust our plan depending on whether he plays or not, we're thinking about ourselves and respecting our opponents. If he plays it will be because he is fit, but if he doesn't, someone else will play who will be as good as him or almost as good... we've had people injured for a long time who are now training, but people who have been injured for four months can sometimes find it difficult to get back to full speed straight away."

On Manchester: "The team they put out will be very good, no matter who plays".

On the importance of last Thursday's draw at Old Trafford, he indicated that "you see the first hour of the game and you say 'what's going to happen to us' and little by little things changed. They didn't end up scoring any more goals and little by little we took control of the game and it's true that the goals are rebounds, but with the quality we have, if we're in the opposition's box for a long time it's going to work in our favour. That's what we try to do in training and in matches."

In the same way, he assured that the match will be just as difficult despite playing at home: "We don't see it as easy, we see it as very tough. Even at 2-2 there is no advantage whatsoever. The fans will help you, but on the pitch we are 11 against 11 and they also have their experience. I don't think the players are overconfident and I don't think the fans are either."

And regarding the fans and the atmosphere that is expected, he stressed that "I anticipate what it's going to be like, the stadium at full capacity with the club's colours and from start to finish supporting the players. The excitement is there and even if we haven't won certain games, this competition is different for Sevillistas and you can see it on the street. It's something different and tomorrow we'll see."

As for the experience he will have as Sevilla FC coach in Europe for the first time in the Sánchez-Pizjuán dugout, he spoke with the ambition that it won't just be tomorrow: "When you get promoted from Third Division to Segunda B it's very important for a club, it's a long road and there have been important moments. This is the most remarkable thing that has happened in my career and I hope it won't be the last time."

"Everybody's up for this match"

As for the squad, as well as ruling out Joan Jordán for the next few games and declaring Karim Rekik fit, he was questioned about Lamela's position in the first leg: "The role was there, but it is another thing if he hasn't played as a striker many times. It's about the concept of the game, and then the players who come on will make it better or worse. It didn't work out well there because Manchester were much better, I think that well before En-Nesyri came on they had improved and we'll play with what I think are our best players, I'm going to think about what I have to do."

To close, he spoke about the commitment and motivation of all the players: "Today everyone wants to play, there is no one who will abandon ship. I don't think that because you've been at City you have more desire, I haven't spoken about it with Fernando or Jesús and Álex Telles has a crazy desire to play, he's training well even though he hasn't competed much with us. They are all up for this game."