LOPETEGUI: "THE THING THAT GIVES FOOTBALL A PURPOSE IS PLAYING IN FRONT OF FANS"

11/03/2020

"We're professional and we will play as they instruct us to; but there has to be some common sense involved in the situation"

Julen Lopetegui gave his press conference ahead of their UEFA Europa League last 16 first-leg tie against AS Roma, but only spoke in front of one Sevilla FC television as the game and any press conferences will take place behind closed doors. He started off by stating that: "It's a complicated week. We have an upcoming game that we've been preparing for throughout the whole season and one which we can't wait to play in. Obviously, we would want to play it in front of fans, which is what gives football its meaning. We will play as they instruct us but we will still put in the same energy and soul that the Sevillistas give us".

"I think it's a historic moment where there are no magic solutions, but if we're talking about an extraordinary situation, you can't risk anything. We are really excited and if at the end of the day, the game goes ahead, which is what we believe is going to happen, we have to be fully prepared because it's a vital game. Everything that is going on at the moment has come as a surprise. Apart from this, we are professional and we will do what they tell us to do, knowing that we are defending the dream of all the Sevillistas".

"Even though we are alone, it's our responsibility to defend the spirit of the fans"

Lopetegui explained that "there has to be some rationality and common sense whilst knowing that it is not in our hands. However, we have to not let ourselves get distracted by what's happening on the outside and focus on the game. It doesn't make sense that a football team can fly, but a group of lawyers can't".

"If it goes ahead, it's not going to be a training session. It's a Last 16 match. There's a lot at stake tomorrow, it's a historic competition and we're playing for all our fans. We have to be concentrated on tomorrow's game, which is the one in front of us. Whether we play in front of 60,000 or no one, a good team like Roma is going to demand a lot of you. Even though we are alone, it's our responsibility to defend the spirit of the fans. We will do all we can".

"The tie is played over two legs, but we're only focused on tomorrow's match"

Lopetegui finished off by saying: "There's always good and bad moments. We're focused and aware of both the weaknesses and the strengths of both them and us. We will try to impose on our type of football on to the game. The tie is played over two legs, but we're only focused on tomorrow's match".