MACHÍN: 'THE TIE IS STILL UP FOR GRABS'

Whether or not Messi would start was brought up, but Machín said that it would not completely change things: 'We are preparing for the game without thinking too much in how it will vary if someone does or does not play. Messi brings the attack together, almost every play goes through him and we have to be prepared for when his killer pass arrives. But they are a very competitive team and they are capable of beating any team at any team. Even with Messi injured they won many games, and then they had the historic result against Real Madrid. We are playing against the champion of the last four cups, and the leaders and current champions of La Liga.'

'We need to wait and see how the injured players are. We travel tomorrow and they will continue to be treated during the evening. We have to be patient and eight or ten hours can make the difference in terms of whether they could at least give us a half. I could tell you something now and then when I chat with the doctors it could turn out to be wrong.' He was honest with our chances of progressing to the semi-final: 'We had a good result, but there is still 90 minutes to go and Barcelona is capable of scoring two goals against us. The possibility of extra time is there and I hope we don't go through that given the extra energy it would take. To avoid that we have to score. Without being too specific, the tie is open. 90 minutes at the Camp Nou will be very long, just like it was for them here. Anything can happen.'

'The possibility of extra time is there and I hope we don't go through that given the extra energy it would take'

In terms of the transfer window, Machín does not know if anything will happen in the final hours: 'I don't know if things will change now. Yesterday I thought we wouldn't be able to make another signing and today we have. That shows the club wants to reinforce the team and how demanding the club is. I'm happy because I know the Sporting Team have done all they can to get me the best players possible. I do all I can to make them even better. If someone else comes... It's unlikely but you never know with football.'

He refused to confirm who would start in goal, but reiterated his confidence in his players: 'The squad is befitting of Sevilla's level, competing in three competitions. If we have two goalkeepers it's because any one of the two can play. Juan was great in the first leg, he barely had to make any saves but he was good with his feet. He was calm during the build-up and that is praiseworthy and I appreciate that. They don't know who will play, but both of them have my absolute confidence.'

'If we have two goalkeepers it's because any one of the two can play. Juan was great in the first leg'

Machín said the team has to work to improve their form away to the big teams: 'It's an extra incentive for us, we have to do more than just show up, we have to score and advance at a very tough stadium. It's been a long time since they last lost a tie in the cup and that makes us aware of the difficulty, we are motivated and know we must give our best. I try to set out a gameplan but the opponent is there to try and stop that.'

To finish, he spoke about the meal last night to celebrate the club's anniversary: 'It's always great to share moments with the Sevilla family, especially when you see the children's excitement. They're with their idols and it's always lovely to get a smile out of them and make them happy. It's a good thing the club's been doing for a while and I hope these youngsters develop and can reach the first team. It's a bonus when the players are from here, feel an extra passion for the shirt and know what's expected of them.'