SAÚL: "WHEN SEVILLA AND THEN FANS ARE TOGETHER AS ONE, IT IS A DIFFICULT PLACE TO COME"

Saúl Ñíguez spoke at the weekly press conference. The midfielder, who returned to the squad against Rayo, is ready to compete again: “I feel much better, every day that goes by you get into a better rhythm. I've been training with the team for six days and if the doctor allows me, I'll be available for whatever the coach says. The most sensible thing to do is to get into the rhythm of the game, to get that match feeling back and find myself again after a long injury. I want to return the support from the fans because it has been a difficult start with the red card and injury. In spite of that, I'm very happy and I want to return that support on the pitch." 

In addition, he had admitted that he had a hard time with the injury: “I have lived it with a lot of frustration because it is my first injury of this kind and it has been difficult. The day we trained before the derby at the stadium I had a very bad time and I went to Madrid for part of my recovery because mentally I was not well. But there I also missed the day-to-day. I realised that I can always contribute, even if it's from the stands or the bench. My intention is to be around to contribute my experience. I had to do it from the outside, last week I was on the bench and more involved. Now I have to try to make the most of my minutes." 

Despite being a newcomer, he has to assume responsibilities in the dressing room: “We have a very young group and that puts me in a certain place. I've been in first division for 13 years and I was able to contribute my experience. Having a young team has its positives and negatives. As we saw with Isaac, the other day the fans were with him when he missed and the next time he gave an assist. We have to give it to the fans so they can give it to us. You can be more fortunate or not, but if you give your all, the fans give it back to you so you can win the game." 

"I was frustrated by the injury because it was my first injury of that type and it was difficult" 

For this reason, he insisted on the importance of the bond with the fans: “The best thing is that we are all united, knowing the situation we are in. The other day was not a comfortable situation, but with a few shouts of encouragement, you can change a game. When the atmosphere is unstable, it can be a little more difficult for the younger player. Those of us who have more experience are here to accompany them in the process." 

Returning to the injury, he explained that “my feeling on that play was that something had come loose. I didn't know, because I had never been injured before, but I felt that something had gone wrong and it hurt. I didn't know how to manage it because it was the first time and mentally it was hard to adapt. You are used to training every day and competing, but I take the positive. Before you went out to train and you didn't value the sprints or the rondos, but now I value it and I see every step. I enjoy it like a child and that's very positive." 

"We can build something nice with a mix of young and experienced players" 

Although he is excited to think about the national team, he knows that his main goal is with the club: “It is an aim of every player as I have done before, but my goal is to give my best version to Sevilla. Then I will be able to count. Now it is much more difficult than a couple of years ago because they have a group that has done very well. They have managed to unite the fans and make them see the national team as a team. At the beginning of the project it was not so exciting, but they have created a very good team that gets along well and they have won a title, which gives us hope for the next World Cup”.

Finally, he spoke about Osasuna: “We face it well, knowing that they are a great rival in a very good form. Every time I see them, they have a clear idea. We are going to compete on equal terms, but the important thing is to focus on ourselves in this long week. We have to manage it mentally and arrive fresh to show our fans that ambition and desire."