Eduardo Berizzo, en la rueda de prensa previa del Spartak de Moscú-Sevilla FC
First team

BERIZZO: "OUR PLAN IS TO GO OUT, SCORE AND WIN"

16/10/2017
The boss showed great respect to Spartak Moscow but underlined how important it is for Sevilla FC to go out and force a top performance

Eduardo Berizzo spoke to the press in Moscow ahead of tomorrow's Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow. The Sevilla boss recognised that a lot rides on the Nervionenses' double clash with Spartak: "The opponent worries me. Their two attackers are fast, they work well together, above all else on the counter, and their midfield is good. We have to be careful when we're attacking to not lose the ball and allow them to find their forwards. Their playmakers are very precise". 

The boss, nevertheless, affirmed that "I always care more about my team than the opponents. The plan we have for tomorrow will be to use the ball very carefully, finding runs and safe passes. The opponent usually waits and counters with a lot of speed".

"When we have the chance to do damage we have to do so with great incision"

Berizzo said he hopes for an offensive Sevilla side, because, "getting points away from home will give us something of an advantage at home. The plan is to go out and attack, go out and score, we're not a team that uses defense as a weapon. We're a team who keeps possession and pushes up. We're going to come up against a difficult opponent. They didn't beat Maribor but they didn't lose to Liverpool, either".

The boss also declared: "I trust and mistrust the things we saw against Liverpool. That means to say we respect every opponent. In a competition like this, you can't make any mistakes and have to be very solid. There isn't so much difference between opponents. It's a direct rival, so when we have the chance to do them damage we have to do so with incision. Both tomorrow and the return leg in Sevilla will be crucial for us". 

 

"Tomorrow's match will be an opportunity to take control of the ball, ensuring movement and safety with every pass"

He continued: "We have watched every match Spartak have played, even those played in their own league. We are a team of possession, similar to Liverpool's gameplan here in Russia. I imagine it will be a match more similar to the Spartak-Liverpool game than the Spartak-Maribor clash".

When questioned about Kjaer and Banega's participation, key players that travelled injured, the manager assured "I am optimistic and we hope that today's training session confirms my positive attitude. I hope that they will be able to play".

"Rotations affect our game, but I am convinced we will be able to impose our own style, we will rest and will arrive strong in the next few months"

The press further addressed the rotations and the lack of a consistent starting eleven. The manager is aware that his decision to share out the work is not always agreed with, but believes: "the rotations help our game. If you count on ten players, evidently, they will find their game quicker. The cost of not doing so is criticism, which I take responsibility for. The benefit is to be able to go into the upcoming months playing as we did at the start of the season. I'm aware this team suffered fatigue from three competitions and I want to give minutes to everyone. If the cost is criticism I accept it. But I'm convinced we'll impose our game, we will rest and will come back stronger in the next few months. The drawback is that you don't find your game immediately and the big benefit is being stronger in the future. Somewhere in the middle you find criticism. If I only used ten players they'd criticise me too. So criticisms come in and I opt to be true to myself". 

Finally, he took the chance to send a message to the Gallegos suffering at the horrific waves of wildfires this weekend: "I'm surprised. I want to give my support to everyone. I hope rain helps alleviate the suffering everyone is going through. I send all my love to my friends in Vigo".