GARCÍA PIMIENTA: "WE KNOW THE DEMANDS BUT PLAYING IN FRONT OF OUR FANS, THEY WILL BE OUR TWELFTH MAN"

Head Coach García Pimienta spoke to the media at the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's match against Villarreal CF. Looking ahead to the season opener at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, he began by pointing out: "We are getting closer to having the full squad we want. There's a week to go until the transfer window closes. There are players who couldn't play in the opening game. If nothing happens tomorrow in the pre-match activation session, we will have almost the entire squad. We haven't been together long, but the team is getting closer to what we want. I would like the team to be recognisable, regardless of whether we play at home or away. Tomorrow we have our first game with our fans and we want to be aggressive and to get close to what we want so that the fans can feel proud of the team. We've seen the mistakes and we're going to work on them and improve. We also saw some good things in the last match." 

García Pimienta then went on to assess our opponents and their coach: "New players will be getting announced and all the squads will undergo changes between now and the end of the season. Villarreal are a historic club and we know the team and coach well. Marcelino has a great CV and knows what he wants. They have very good players who can do a lot of damage. It's a distinctive team with the coach's style. We have to be focused because otherwise, they can cause a lot of damage. We know how demanding they are, but we're playing in front of our fans and they're going to be our twelfth man. The other day we couldn't win, but we're convinced that if we play well, we'll be close to getting the win." 

"I am sure by the end on the transfer window we will have the squad that we want" 

On Sambi's return to training, he said the midfielder is slowly getting back: "It's a shame that Sambi has missed two or three weeks of pre-season. He's not ready for ninety minutes but he's ready to help us. He will be able to play a few minutes. He will gradually get up to speed. He has trained very well without any discomfort." In addition, he also spoke about the departure of Acuña, whom he thanked for his professionalism: "When I met with the president and Víctor Orta, they told me about the possibility of Marcos Acuña leaving. I would like to thank him for his attitude while he has been here. He has been a very good player for the club. I have to thank the president and Víctor for their work. The team is changing a lot and what we want is happening. I'm sure we'll end up with the squad we want, taking into account Sevilla at the moment. They are working with everything they have. I'm sure that the player we want will arrive." 

"When you score two goals it should be enough to win the game. We need to be solid in every sense, not just defensively. It is a job for everyone. We've watched it back on video, we've worked on it and we are trying to correct it. The players are taking it on board. We are all aware that we have to work hard in this area. We didn't just score two goals, we created great chances to win the game. Everything depends on defensive consistency. If we are able to do that, we'll concede very few chances and win more games," he continued. 

"The sporting director and president are doing a good job" 

Another of the names that came up during the press conference was Valentín Barco in the search for a new left-back: "He's a player who is currently under contract. We need a specific type of player. The sporting director and President are doing and good job and I am sure that the player we want will arrive." He also have an update on Suso's injury: "Although it's not a serious injury, it will keep him out for a bit. There shouldn't be any problems in his recovery. We hope he can join the team in three or four weeks." On the defense, García Pimienta assured that "Badé wants to stay at Sevilla’," as well as being very happy with Marcao: "I'm very happy with Marcao. You know the players when you see them on a day-to-day basis. He's a left-sided centre-back who brings the ball out and unfortunately, the injury halted him but he is available. If he has to help us, he will help us." 

He also analysed the midfield, with which he is happy: "Tomorrow Saúl is available. He brings us leadership and experience. It's nice to have a left-footed player in midfield. With the addition of Sambi, he can bring us things. I knew that Juanlu had played in the youth teams in that position. On top of that he has scored already in the league. I'm happy with the midfield plus the players from the reserve team who are ready to help us." Similarly, he was also happy with the news that fifteen players have made the preliminary squads for the upcoming international break for their respective national teams: "When you're at a big club these things happen. I hope that many of them will be selected. They work hard every day. That's what the international breaks are for. We are a big club that aspires to be the best and also to have international players. If the list is long, I'll be even happier for them. Sevilla have to contribute players to the national teams." 

"Jesús Navas is ready and training well" 

On Jesús Navas, García Pimienta said that he is ready to start: "I see him as a starter if I think the team needs him, he is ready and training well. He can play as a winger or full-back. It's great to have him in the team. What has changed in the squad from July until now is that a lot of players have left. It's turning out the way we wanted it to be, taking into account the current situation. I am happy to see how the club is working. Within the process, the team has changed for the better and is getting closer to what we want. If players don't leave, new players can't come in. In the case of the centre-backs, we have five top-level centre-backs, I'm happy," he said.

Before concluding, he commented that any activity in the transfer market will depend on any departures that may occur in the squad: "We have two players for every position. We even have versatile players like Juanlu who can play in more than one position. We know that if players don't leave, they can't come in. We need to strengthen in the left-back position as well only have Pedrosa. The club is working hard to strengthen that position." Finally, he assured that Ejuke is also ready to start despite not featuring against Las Palmas: "He's ready to play. We had doubts about whether he would start or not. The last fifteen or twenty minutes were the best for us and we created clear chances on goal. I didn't consider the change because I saw that the team was doing well."