First team

JOAQUÍN CAPARRÓS: 'OUR OBJECTIVE REMAINS THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE'

05/03/2019

The Director of Football understands the fans' worries: 'We want this to change soon and for the fans to be happy'

Joaquín Caparrós appeared on SFC Radio's Sólo el Sevilla this Tuesday to assess the team's current situation: 'It is true I am worried after the game against Huesca, that's part of my job. I am also sorry for the fans but I have unwavering confidence in everyone at the club - the players and the technical staff. We are convinced we will get out of this situation.'

The Director of Football understands the fans' demand for a reaction as soon as possible: 'They are more worried because they have less information regarding the squad. As a Sevillista I'm feeling downhearted because of what I feel from my wife, my children and all my dearest Sevillistas. We want this to change soon and for the fans to be happy. We have the chance, which is the beauty of this sport, to change that on Thursday and for the players to show their ability.'

Asked about the factors which could have led to the bad run of form, Caparrós stated 'it's difficult to analyse. With the squad and the technical staff that has got us into first place before this season, we are analysing the reasons behind it. I am sure that very shortly they will find the cure because they are demanding and we have the chance to turn this bad run around on Thursday.'

Caparrós remains firm in what the team's objective is and always has been: 'As the season runs to a close people may begin to lose confidence but we have faith and right from the top, from the president, who motivates but also pushes us, the objective remains the Champions League. We had a big advantage which was down to our own hard work but it is what it is. We cannot look back, only analyse and come to conclusions because there are still many points at stake and we are in the Europa League. We want to qualify for the Champions League. The club is growing, this growth has to continue and that's why we have to be in the Champions League. We know that we have lost ground in the race for fourth but we are going to fight for it.'

'We cannot look back, only analyse and come to conclusions'

'There is certainly no lack of ambition. We are in a bad run of form and throughout the season you have good ones and bad ones. We have to get out of this one and that is what we will try to do on Thursday. We are all ambitious, from the president right down to the players, because the team's recent growth is down to this ambition we all share, that ambition to get back up and overcome any adversities. The players are focused and we want to show them we are with them, they want to get out of this situation too.'

Asked about a theoretical lack of preparation, Caparrós left no doubts: 'That is not the case. The club is working on many important projects with the first team and the academy. We are building the future of our Sevilla and I repeat that we are ambitious. We want to improve and we do not shy away from our responsibilities - we want to be in the Champions League and we transmit that demanding attitude throughout the club.'

'It's time for all of Sevilla to come together in our competition'

To finish, he asked for unity to get Sevilla out of this situation: 'The facts are there for all to see and the fans make us grow, they never allow us to rest on our laurels. We are going to try and get out of this run in our competition, the one we are kings of and where the team comes to life. Let's see if we can push on from that and pick up a run of form that pushes us onto achieving our objectives. It's time for all of Sevilla to come together in our competition and for the stadium to push us on as it always does. The moment for criticism will come when it comes and I will be the most critical if we do not achieve our objectives.'