First team

MONTELLA ON ATLÉTICO RETURN LEG: "FORGET THE FIRST-LEG AND HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE"

22/01/2018
The coach said the team can still improve; also expecting a "physical" and "aggressive" match for which Montella wanted "our fans to be with us for 90 minutes, to push us on"

Vincenzo Montella spoke to the press this Monday ahead of Tuesday's return-leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final tie with Atlético Madrid - with Sevilla FC heading into the match at the Sánchez-Pizjuán 1-2 up, having won the away leg at the Wanda Metropolitano last week. "I expect a very physical, very aggressive match, and also expect improvements even from the last two matches... We can't think about the advantage we have. The first thing is to forget the first-leg and try to unite our energy with the players and fans. We have to come together, thinking only about tomorrow's game", he said. 

Montella admitted that in the past week "the mentality has changed. The players have a better understanding of what we want. We have the right attitude and that's very important... I really want to play at home again after two wins".

"I expect a very physical and aggressive match and also more improvements"

The Italian coach spoke about the improvement in performances... Would there be any changes to the side? "To improve we have to change but there's no certainty that we'll get an improvement with change... Tomorrow the important thing is to have the right attitude, the right mentality... It's important to feel the support of the fans, that's very important for the team", he said. 

And he insisted, when asked about the fans: "What I ask for is that our fans are with us for 90 minutes, that they push us forward. That's going to be very important, the guys need it". 

"Feeling the support of the fans is important for the team"

Asked about Costa's injury, Montella responded: "Atlético will play with eleven players tomorrow, they have a good enough team to overcome the absence of a great player like Diego Costa". 

"Muriel is an important player that needs participation and conviction"

One player who will be available is Luis Muriel, although it is uncertain if he will appear in the starting 11. The Italian coach is confident in the Colombian's capabilities to grow as a player: "I think that it is a huge weight when so much is paid for the player, but he shouldn't be judged on the price paid. He is a valuable player who has improved massively in recent matches. He needs participation and conviction. He is a very important player for us".

Finally, with regards to the possible restrengthening of the team, he said "all teams are able to improve, but sometimes when you try to better a team, things get worse. We speak everyday with the Director, but at the end of the day it is the Club who decides and we will see what happens".