First team

MURIEL: "WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL, IT'S A DERBY AND IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF MATCH"

04/01/2018
The striker admitted "they've told me wonders" about this match

Luis Muriel spoke to the press at the unveiling of the new Sevilla FC calendar this Thursday, talking mainly about Saturday's match: "We have to be very careful, it's a derby and it's a different kind of match". Having beaten Cádiz away, he had words of encouragement before the clash: "It's quite a special week, one we started with last night's match. It's a match that meant a lot for us and it was a great test in the end, where the team proved once again it's ready to do great things. It gives us a lot of encouragement to confront the derby which they've told me quite a lot about and the expectations are quite high". 

On the opponent, the striker said "they're a team with impressive names even if they haven't had good results. They had a good start in the league. There are determined players but we can also take advantage of their consistent mistakes in defense. We have to be very careful, it's a derby and it's a different kind of match".

"A 2-0 or 3-0 would be great"

He's been told about the ins and outs of the game, as he admitted: "Navas, Escudero, Rico... are players who have told us about the match. Last year they won both and they say that's the greatest thing you can do. This year we don't want to let the opportunity slip us by because, after everything, it's a match that can give you so much in the league". And it's not just teammates that have told him about the derby: "the fans as well. When I meet a fan, the first thing they talk to me about is the goals. You experience a lot. I had the opportunity to experience the Genova derby which is quite exciting, but they've told me wonders about this match. Receiving the support of the fans is always important. For our part, we're expecting the biggest of efforts, enthusiasm and I know we're going to go for the win. In the matches I've been able to play in in the Sánchez-Pizjuán, the way the fans experience the game and the heat, it all feels very South-American. And in the derby the fans will give us even more support with more force. A 2-0 or 3-0 would be great for us".

He also talked about the new boss, who he met for the first time in Italy: "Montella is a coach who likes to have the ball, play, but also be very direct, and that's what we were missing - being more aggressive when making plays. You saw that in yesterday's first-half. He already knows me, I spoke very little with him but he already knows what being a striker demands, about me... We didn't have much time to speak. I also know what I can give him".

"Berizzo's sacking is a matter for the club, we're always self-critical. We knew what was missing, the results weren't awful but the club has every right to take these kinds of decisions, believing what is right for the team and its ambitions. We want to keep showing that we can do a lot of good things", he added. 

"We were always in control of the match and it carried us to a great win yesterday"

To finish up, he analysed the Copa del Rey win: "In the first-half the team was very quick in transition when we needed to move the ball. That allowed us to find spaces and create a lot of chances. In the second-half the rhythm died down a bit but we controlled the match at all times and it carried us to a great win".