He was also asked about the new UEL format: "The format of the Europa League is the one what UEFA have decided on, we have to accept it. There's nothing else to say. It will be different and we have to adapt to that format. We will approach it with the necessary mental to progress. It seems that there isn't a date set in stone yet and we'll have to prepare". He then took a brief look back at Monday's match: "What the team always tries to do is scoring a second goal. In the end we finished badly, above all in the last seven or eight minutes, but that's gone, and you all know me. Energy is limited and it has to all go into tomorrow's match, not looking back".
"The format of the UEL is the one that UEFA have decided on. We will approach it with the necessary mentality"
Lopetegui also spoke about Nolito's imminent departure: "He's a player that has given us a lot during the year, he was a starter in large phases of the league and his contract was ending on 30th June. Recently he made clear his desire to leave and from there, if he could not stay here longer, we opted for him leaving now. His mind was on an alternative future and we thank him for his work and wish him the very best of luck. We would have liked to count on him, but he chooses his path and I hope he's lucky".
Messi is always a threat, especially against Sevilla, but the gaffer is focusing on his team: "There's a huge demand that obliges you to play well and go to the limit because they have that plus, but we'll go out with the good intentions of playing well and getting three points. From here, we'll see how it turns out, but we're keen, we have ambition and we'll try to show our best side. Barcelona are a great team and they also have Messi, that's all there is to it. We will try to be a recognisable side, we are in many things but we have to go to the limit, not just in stopping Messi".
"We will try to be a recognisable side and we have to go to the limit"
He also spoke about Barcelona's differences with Setién: "The team has individual characteristics that have grown on the basis of a style and Setién fits in well with that idea. Now we will have to find solutions and counter what they expect to do. In the end, everything is reduced by attacking and defending well".
He also did not want to define himself as an attacking or defensive manager: "I'm not labelling myself. Labels aren't worth anything. The manager tries to win matches, it's very simple. I like my teams being complete in all aspects and sometimes you're playing when you want to play, and in other matches the opponents also push on. I consider myself as someone who wants to win every match, be as complete as possible and have answers for every moment. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't".
"I like my teams being complete in all aspects"
He also did not want to reveal which players are doubtful for tomorrow: "Nolito is out, that's a reality, and then there are some things which I won't comment on here because we have 24 hours. There are always players who recover better and then there's others who find it more difficult and we need to be behind more. Tomorrow we'll look at them and decide".
Finally, he denied that Barcelona are showing weak points lately: "In LaLiga every match is a battle. It's difficult to win and shine. Leganés defended well the other day and it was not easy. Instead of putting the focus on our opponents, I'm putting it on us, on what we have to do and how we should behave, not what they can do".
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대한민국 - Soon
