MENDILIBAR: "WE HAVE TO HAVE THE MINDSET OF COMPETING ABOVE ALL ELSE"

José Luis Mendilibar spoke to the media in the press conference prior to the match against Real Valladolid on Sunday. The Sevilla coach discussed the team's condition and how to approach a game like tomorrow's: "Today is the critical day after a match. 48 hours later is when you usually rest and start the next day. In principle, everyone is fine except Lucas, who won't be available tomorrow, but he will be back. Tomorrow's match is against a team that has a lot at stake. Above all, we have to have the mindset of competing, and I know it's not easy, coming from Turin and playing against them again in four days and the prize that it would come with it. We have to be mentally strong to go out and win because they will compete, and we have to match them. That way, we'll have a chance."

Regarding the players' chances of playing tomorrow, he pointed out that "there are people who haven't played for a long time and have various problems. It's not easy for them to play the full 90 minutes. It's like coming back from vacation and starting preseason. I think Lamela is fine. He trained normally today, but these are knocks that can come up." Returning to the team's mentality, he also highlighted that it is the coach's job: "My job is not only to prepare them physically and technically but also mentally. If they don't come out with that mentality, then we must have done something wrong. Let's see if we can convince them that we can go out and fight to the death. As for Cyle Larin, he's a striker who's surprising us with his goals and performances. His goals are earning them points." Mendilibar valued the fact of competing in both the league and Europe at the same time: "We played like this in the quarterfinals too. This club is used to it. European knockout rounds with league matches. Now we're more in no-man's land in La Liga, but it also shows that we know how to compete in all circumstances."

Regarding the help of youth team players and the important match that Antonio Hidalgo's team has tomorrow, with the question focused on Manu Bueno, who trained with the group, Mendilibar was clear: "We're here to help each other. We all feed off each other, work out what the priority is and we'll act accordingly." On individuals, he talked about Suso and not pressuring the player to return so that he comes back in optimal conditions: "Suso is not available for this match, and it will be difficult for him to return for the next one. Muscular injuries that require time. We're not going to rush anyone because every injury has its time, and we have to be respectful of that."

"These are matches in which everyone wants to play, and that helps the player be more engaged."

Talking about how to assess the players' physical condition and prepare them for each match, the coach indicated that "the physical load is regulated by resting. The physical-technical work has to be almost done, but it's also true that these are matches in which everyone wants to play, and that helps the player be more engaged." Finally, he referred again to Valladolid, his former team: "It's a different match for me since it's one of the teams I've been with for four seasons, during which they treated me very well. They're aggressive and daring when it comes to pressing and playing the ball. It's a team that could have had some more points than they have, but those are the circumstances of football."