First team

MONTELLA EXPECTS "AN AGGRESSIVE AND INTENSE MATCH" IN LA ROSALEDA

27/02/2018

The coach warned that Málaga believe they can turn their fortunes around this season

Vincenzo Montella spoke to the press this afternoon ahead of Wednesday's Andalusia Day clash with Málaga. The coach said: "I'm expecting an intense match and for them to play an aggressive game and for our opponents to believe they can turn things around. I saw their match against Valencia and they believe in a comeback"

He also didn't see the prospect of heavy rain affecting the match: "I don't know if it will rain or not but the team needs to know how to play in wind or rain, it needs to know how to deal with those situations".

"I saw their match against Valencia and they believe in a comeback"

Asked about Sunday's loss, he admitted, "there's been a general evaluation, with calm. I talked about it with the lads, the aspects we have to improve. When the team is compact and confident we can beat anyone. The other day we played our best half an hour since I've been here but after the goals broke the team down a bit".

He did not want to talk about long-term aims in La Liga: "We now have to look at it match by match, without looking further ahead. We now think about our next match then afterwards the one after that".

"We now have take things one match at a time"

On the three occasions that Sevilla have conceded 5 goals so far in 2018, Montella ensures that: "as a coach with more than 300 matches experience at a high level, I have never had a side concede 5 goals, but that being said, Sunday's match was not like the other two".

On the other hand, asked about the potential adjustments to the starting eleven due to Navas' injury and Escudero's ban, he commented: "perhaps changes will be made because there are players that have physically improved in recent weeks. Arana is a possibility".

Finally, questioned on Sandro and his possible visit to La Roselda, he commented: "I have a lot of confidence in Sandro. At times it is difficult to put together a list of 18 and leave players out. The other day he was one of them, but he has improved physically following a long time without training before his arrival here. I trust him and I trust that he will continue to grow".