First team

MACHÍN: "WE NEED MAXIMUM ENERGY FOR OUR TWO MATCHES THIS WEEK"

08/08/2018

The coach said he had the Super Cup in mind in selecting an eleven for Zalgiris: "It's inevitable we reserve some players because only eleven can play and three subs"

An extensive and revealing press conference on the evening of Pablo Machín and Sevilla's Q3 Europa League first-leg fixture with Zalgiris. He did not hide the fact that it's going to be a very demanding week: "It's inevitable to hold some in reserve because only eleven can play and three substitutes. There will be some that can't play and at these levels we'll need the most energy possible for the two matches this week. The most likely thing is that the maximum number of players will have an opportunity".

"Amadou played in the friendly against Extremadura, he's come off an injury and we didn't want to give him a lot of minutes so we could avoid complications. He's fine but he had that break that could have affected his level of preparation, though he will be available for the team tomorrow". Vidal is similarly available: "You already know that he's come in off pre-season with Barcelona in the USA and I think he looks good here. Genetically he gets in shape quick and we'll be able to count on him for both matches".

"I don't have any authority to demand anything but I'd like Sevillistas to be with us in Tangier because it will make a difference"

He asked for support in Tangier: "What we're dealing with now is the Europa League, because these first steps that you might think are easy are crucial to having a good season. On Sunday we'll play a final we've won the right to be at and we have to give it the importance it has. It's a title and the fans are smart, which is why they'll know to put everything that has happened to one side, they've always been with the team in difficulties. We'll fight for them and I don't feel I have any authority to demand anything but I would like them to be in Tangier because it will make a difference to us".

As was seen against Újpest, excessive confidence will not be a problem against Zalgiris: "All these matches we're favourites in can lead us to a bit of relaxation. In football today, if you don't compete to the maximum, you give an advantage to the opponent you assume is inferior. That's happened a lot of times and there are a lot of examples. My job is to give it all the importance, forgetting what comes later on. They deserve to be here. They've got through their ties and we have the handicap of the artificial pitch for the second-leg. I hope we'll be able to get it on the best track possible as we did in the last round".

"In the second-leg we have the disadvantage of the artificial pitch so we need to get things as on track as possible"

He gave a few insights into the Lithuanian team: "They always look to look after the ball, play out from the back and have a solid positional play. Like all these teams they have physical strength and that makes them dangerous at set-pieces. They have a strong nine that plays well with his back to goal and a skillful attacking-midfielder with a good shot from outside the box".

Finally asked about a potential line-up for Sunday: "More or less you have an idea because that's our job but it's true that with tomorrow it could change in some way. The coherent thing to do is to think that some won't be able to play Thursday and Sunday and some will but if we have to compete physically at a high level, the more rests we get the better. We have a competitive squad and a lot of competitions and the idea is that everyone can be important and will have minutes".